A spiked fence almost 6ft high is being built around a new housing estate in Oxford to keep out youths who have tormented residents for months.

People living in Hubble Close in Barton have been plagued with incidents such as windows being smashed, joyriders torching cars and threatening behaviour.

The move to install the fence comes after lengthy consultation with Hubble Close residents and the city council, which has provided £15,000 for the work.

The development backs on to Bayswater Brook, on the former Barton Village First School site, off Fettiplace Road. The fence will stretch along the back of the development by the stream and the entrance to the estate will remain open.

Most of the trouble has happened on open space behind the homes, alongside the brook.

Oxford police spokesman Kate Smith said: "There have been 14 incidents at Hubble Close since January, mainly for criminal damage."

One resident whose property fronts on to the stream said he had been persistently targeted by yobs since he moved in 18 months ago.

The man, who asked not to be named, said: "I've had windows smashed, the security light has been broken, and even my hanging basket has been damaged.

"Things get worse and then it dies down for a few weeks before it starts again.

"It makes you feel sick when you see it. I hope the fence will work but it is not a guarantee."

Chantal Omloo, who moved into Hubble Close last year, said she had heard horror stories from neighbours, including one about a car dumped in the brook which was set on fire.

She was initially against the fencing idea as she thought it might invite more antisocial behaviour, but later changed her mind.

But she said: "I will miss the view. I didn't come here to live in a gated development -- I want to be part of the community."

Another resident, who did not want to be named, said she had seen youths on mini-motorbikes tearing up and down by the brook.

She said: "I am worried about the fencing devaluing the houses."

Headington Hill and Northway councillor Tony Gray said: "We strongly believe in zero tolerance of antisocial behaviour and its causes and have been concerned about what is happening in Hubble Close for some time.

"I'm very pleased that the council is now taking action on this."

City council leader Alex Hollingsworth, who is a Barton councillor, said the antisocial behaviour was a serious problem which was persistent and dangerous.

Mr Hollingsworth said the fence would not create a gated community but put a barrier between the public space and private space of people's homes. The fence will be installed by the city council as soon as funding is secured.

The estate is a mixture of private and shared ownership houses, 16 of which belong to Oxford Citizens Housing Association.