FAMILIES in a Glasgow housing scheme claim they are virtually "prisoners in their homes" because kids as young as 12 are waging war in the streets.

FAMILIES in a Glasgow housing scheme claim they are virtually "prisoners in their homes" because kids as young as 12 are waging war in the streets.

Over the last few months, gangs of boys have been congregating in Arden after school and hurling bricks at the No 57 bus to Darnley, fighting and threatening passers-by.

In the last month, three serious separate incidents on Kyleakin Road have been reported to police.

The thugs - up to a dozen at a time - have smashed bus windows and, in one case, two girl passengers were injured.

One 12-year-old boy has been referred to the Children's Panel in connection with one of the incidents, but no other arrests have taken place.

The trouble is understood to be sparked by gang rivalry and police have increased patrols in the area.

One 68-year-old resident, who did not wish to be named for fear of being attacked, said: "It is like a warzone out there. From 4-5pm you dare not go out of your house.

"The police have been around for the last few days and things appear to be improving, but they can't stick around forever. Once they leave, the kids will be at it again, or they will just go somewhere the police are not."

It is widely known gangs in Arden have long had problems with those from Priesthill and Darnley.

Another resident, in his mid-50s, said: "These kids have not had anything to do for years and in some ways I sympathise with them.

"There are 260 kids signed up to our youth centre, but it is only a Portakabin and that means they are limited to using it once a week on a rotation.

"People are afraid to stand up to the gangs - what are their parents doing?"

Another resident, 50, added: "It has been going on for a good while. They come all the time after school, smash up the buses and fight in nearby fields.

"What is now more worrying is that they have started attacking people outside the shops if they won't buy them a bottle of Buckfast.

"People are scared to go out - we are prisoners in our homes."

Alex Glass, councillor for Greater Pollok, said action was being taken to tackle the situation, which he admitted had been a recurring problem.

He said: "We don't condone these acts and the police are taking action.

"However, while we need to be firm, we must also recognise the need to involve young people and tackle these problems."

He agreed Arden residents felt isolated and said police leaflets were being distributed in an attempt to involve the community.

Decorating duo Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan highlighted some of Arden's problems on national television by attempting to renovate a number of houses in the area for a Channel 5 show.

Colin and Justin were asked for their help by Glen Oaks Housing Association, which is involved in the regeneration of Arden, but the stars were criticised by some local people for their bleak portrayal of the estate.

The city council is now working with Glen Oaks, police, Glasgow Community Safety Services and Culture and Sport Glasgow to help tackle the vandalism problems It is expected a Chill-Out youth centre will be moved to a bigger venue, while a number of diversionary tactics, such as a portable football pitch being brought to the area, are being tried to help encourage positive behaviour.

There are also talks to establish a campus police officer in Hillpark School, where a number of the boys attend.

Bus company First Glasgow said its security team was working with police and local schools.

A spokeswoman said: "We take all incidents of vandalism to our buses extremely seriously.

"Stone throwing is very dangerous. Vandalism that puts people at risk of injury cannot be tolerated and is something we are working hard to eradicate."

A police spokesman said: "There have been numerous complaints over the last month. The last one was on Kyleakin Road on March 17 when a bus window was smashed, which resulted in two girls receiving injuries.

"There will be more police in the area after school and into the evening and we will be working with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport."

FIGHTING BACK: Retired cop a hero' for taking on yobs

A RETIRED detective who took on a gang of youths as they were trashing his home has been hailed a hero by Evening Times readers.

Sam Wilson, 64, was cleared of assaulting three of the youngsters who were rampaging through his garden in Burnside, near Glasgow.

Following the court verdict, readers flooded the Evening Times website with supportive comments in one of the biggest responses we have had to a single story.

Two contributors claiming to have been involved also posted on www.eveningtimes.co.uk, playing down the incident.

But they were condemned by readers.

Pete, from Bearsden, said: "Makes a pleasant change to see the law siding with the innocent party. Mr Wilson - you are a hero, sir!"

JC, from Renfrewshire, said: "Shame on those who brought the prosecution", while Steve, from Glasgow, said: "Good on you, Mr Wilson! Send them all to boot camp."

Jimmy K said: "Why was he charged in the first place?"

Andrew Montgomery, from Shawlands, said: "The procurator fiscal service should hang its head in shame.

"It is time our shabby justice system was knocked into shape."

Another reader said: "The presumption must always be that the victim is innocent.

"Or are law abiding citizens just an easy target to boost the crimes solved' figures?"

Mr Wilson's trial at Glasgow Sheriff Court was told the youths had ploughed through 15 fences and hedges in the neighbourhood last September 13 before trying to break into his garden hut.

Mr Wilson was accused of assaulting two of the boys but was acquitted after a sheriff said he and his wife Linda, 48, had been the victims of "appalling" behaviour.