Wakefield Council, the neighbourhood police team, Bowlee Park Housing, local councillors and the Families First project joined forces to become Painthorpe Tasking Group.

Since then the council's anti-social behaviour officer Steve Earnshaw said the number of calls to the fire brigade had dropped from 40 a month to an average of two, and reports of crime and damage had more than halved.

But some residents remain sceptical. One woman, who was too afraid to be named, said: "Things have improved, especially since the dispersal order which prevents young people from gathering in groups round the estate, but there is still work to be done.

"Closing the ginnels would stop a lot of the problems because they make houses an easy target and provide the trouble-makers with an escape route from the estate."

Another, who also refused to be named, put improvements down to summer holidays – she said she was bracing herself for the trouble to start again in September.

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The task group has used anti-social behaviour contracts and warning letters to tackle problems with young people, and a community chest grant of £2,500 has been used to support projects, including parenting programmes.

The money has also helped keep youngsters off the streets with summer sport such as free rugby sessions at Crigglestone Rugby Club.

Coun Olivia Rowley, cabinet member for community safety and cohesion said: "We all have a right to live free from harassment. Anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated and we are doing everything we can to protect the public."

For more on crime in Painthorpe, click here