Householders are living in fear of a gang of young men who are drinking, taking drugs and vandalising their estate.

People living in Grovelands, Kidlington, say the anti-social behaviour is making their lives a misery.

Residents of Belgrove Close said they felt intimidated by the men, who damage cars and fences and scatter rubbish and drug paraphernalia.

Glen Chandler, 47, was left with a black eye after being punched on November 17.

Mr Chandler, an electrician, said: "They come almost every night. I've had damage done to my vehicles, so when they came I asked them what they were doing.

"They gave me a load of verbal abuse, then two of them punched me.

"I felt angry and scared. There were four of them, in their early 20s. I wished I hadn't gone out."

Mr Chandler's neighbour, 40-year-old Elaine Lanighan, said her childminding business was being affected because parents were not willing to bring their children to the road.

She said: "These men are like a bunch of chimpanzees trying to push you off their territory.

"They smoke dope, drink alcohol, leave rubbish and human excrement. I've had lager cans and bottles thrown in my garden.

"I've been followed to Sainsbury's with them close to my bumper flashing their lights.

"I feel intimidated and frightened and so do my neighbours."

Another woman, who did not want to be named, said: "We went away for the weekend and when we came back our fence had a huge hole in it and all the street lights had been smashed.

"We've had rubbish thrown into our garden and they urinate against our fence.

"We've told the police about it but they've done nothing."

Police said they would crack down on intimidatory behaviour against residents.

Acting Insp Ches Adamczyk, of Kidlington police, said: "The alleged assault is being investigated.

"Along with Cherwell Council we will be looking into all complaints of disorder and anti-social behaviour in this area.

"Both the police and the council have powers which can be used if the nuisance continues."