People living on the Church Farm Estate in Halewood say they are fed up with gangs of youths terrorising the community.

They want to hire security guards because they claim that police are not doing an effective job.

Inspector Shaun Holland, who is responsible for Halewood, said: "Private security firms might help deter anti-social behaviour but they have no powers and the long-term problem doesn't go away.

"I have undertaken a number of high profile operations targeting youth disorder and these have been successful.

"I have also made a number of arrests and will continue to take action against those who are behaving in an anti-social manner."

Residents' concerns have been echoed by the former government minister and Liverpool MP, Peter Kilfoyle, who says neighbourhood policing is failing on Merseyside.

He says his constituents in Walton complain week after week about the lack of officers, long response times and even non attendance at some incidents.