David and Daphne Morgan have been keeping daily diaries detailing the anti-social behaviour which has hit Alliston Gardens, Semilong, which includes windows being broken, potted plants being smashed over a balcony on to cars, and noise disturbances.

Mrs Morgan, aged 66, said: "The police and ambulance have been called out more than 30 times in a week. We have been so happy living here. Windows have been broken, our plants were smashed and it's all a nuisance."

Mrs Morgan said a petition has been started by frustrated residents, who are angered by the anti-social behaviour at the block.

She said: "We have installed CCTV cameras, but we had to pay for them ourselves. We shouldn't have to have cameras to feel safe.

"Everybody's sad about it, we try to live responsibly. I waited 18 months to live here and I don't want to move.

"We've been here for three years and, at first, we had no trouble whatsoever. It's sad because we all love it here but a lot of our grandchildren can't come to visit any more because they're frightened."

More than 43 residents have signed the petition, which cites strangers roaming the balconies, verbal abuse, shouting and nuisance behaviour as problems being caused at the flats.

Police community support officer Sarah Major, of the Castle Ward Safer Community Team, said: "We have received complaints from residents in the Alliston Gardens area about anti-social behaviour.

"Northamptonshire Police, in partnership with Northampton Borough Council, will not tolerate it and have already issued strong words of advice to people in the area.

"Officers and police community support officers conduct regular patrols in this area and will continue to work hard to make the community a better and safer place for people to live."