Want the latest news from Swansea sent straight to your inbox? Don't miss anything from your city! Sign up for regular updates Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Gangs of youths are said to be making people's lives a misery with drunken parties, constant grass fires, vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

The sand dunes in Swansea , near the observatory, are constantly targeted by gangs of up to 30-40 youths, according to residents in the area.

Locals have said they also have to deal with threats, and the situation has left some people wanting to leave.

Some even pray for bad weather just to stop the youths from flocking to the beach.

Wales saw record-breaking temperatures over the Easter weekend with many people heading to their nearest beaches to enjoy the sunshine.

However, the warm weather resulted in "shocking levels" of anti-social behaviour around the beach and dunes, say residents.

Facebook group MQRA - Maritime Quarter Residents Association , posted on the social media site over the weekend about the trouble caused by youths.

One post said: "Shocking levels of anti-social behaviour around the beach and dunes over the last few days.

"Gangs of drunk, underage kids, setting fires, littering, smashing bottles and generally making everyone's life a misery.

"The photos show the wanton criminal destruction of the dune control fencing, which was ripped up and burnt.

"The obsession for setting fires down here is very worrying. The police told us that they would be patrolling the area at peak times and despite being called over the weekend, to our knowledge, they did not attend."

One resident, who has been living in the area for twelve years, but did not want to be named for fear of reprisals, said the youths were too frightening and intimidating to approach.

He said: "One resident actually approached them on the weekend because they were urinating against the wall, the youths then managed to find out what apartment he was in, got inside the block and started hammering on his door. He was really scared.

"Once they are drunk they become loud, intimidating and violent with their threats.

"You will often find that they will hammer on people's windows on the ground floor during the early hours of the morning, a lot of elderly people live in the apartments and it's scary for them.

"It's got to the point now where we are dreading it when we know the weekend or school holidays are approaching.

"If the weather is nice we are half looking forward to it because we know we can't relax, it shouldn't be like this."

Everything you need to know about anti-social behaviour

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

In March, children were captured on camera starting a grass fire amongst the sand dunes. However, police have since confirmed that a number of anti-social behaviour referrals were made for the young people identified.

One of the main fears that locals have is that there are houses overlooking the dunes with balconies and furniture where the flames could easily spread in the wind.

Residents have started to take pictures of the young people involved in the hope that something will be done.

They believe there should be a ban on lighting fires.

One resident explained what happened to her recently.

"They tend to run down our alleyway and few weeks ago banged on my ground floor window, about 30 of them passing," said the woman, who did not want to be named.

"Quite scary. We've all been young and I don't knock them for congregating or having fun, even a BBQ. It's the danger of fire and wrecking fencing, underage alcohol and drugs, I fear. Kids need youth clubs and Swansea has none - that is the issue."

Another said: "Just watched a gang set fire in the dunes and throw around a life belt, obviously taken from somewhere on the Marina. I telephoned 999 and I also reported it to the police."

Another said: "It's not just about us that live here, it's about everyone that's being put off coming to the beach as they don't want their own kids/grandchildren witnessing such behaviour."

South Wales Police confirmed they were aware of residents' concerns.

Sergeant Mark Watkins said: “We only received a small number of reports of incidents over the weekend but are aware of resident’s concerns. We encourage them to keep reporting issues to us and we are continuing to patrol the area, particularly in peak times for the anti-social behaviour. We are also looking at a number of other options to deal with the issues.

"We would ask parents to please be aware of where their young people are and what they are up to.

"The reports have been about young people aged between 10-16 and underage drinking can put your young person at risk.

"We do take anti-social behaviour seriously as it can have a significant impact on the community and being involved in it can also have consequences for the person responsible and their parents/guardians.”