ANTISOCIAL behaviour in Hordle was the talk of the village once again at a parish meeting.

About 25 members of the public gathered to discuss what could be done to remedy the trouble caused by teenage gangs wreaking havoc in the area.

The escalating problem of petty crime culminated a few weeks ago when youngsters barricaded councillors into meetings, vandalised the Forest Bus mobile youth club and intimidated villagers.

Peter Smith, chairman of the parish council's amenities committee, said: "There is a big groundswell of opinion so that's the reason for holding a public meeting."

Representatives from the police and the parish council listened to the views of the villagers and answered their questions at Hordle sports pavilion.

As a result of the problems, police have started patrolling Hordle and resident, David Evans, of Stopples Lane, asked if it would continue.

Inspector John Heath, of Lymington and New Milton Police, said: "Policing resources are finite and we constantly have to make decisions as to where those officers are going to be operating from and we make those decisions on where they are most needed. If nothing is reported to us, unless we have information from other sources, the assumption is that there is nothing happening. "

Head of New Forest police Supt Barry Talbot told the audience that a recent door-knock survey of Hordle residents revealed that many people believed there was simply nothing for the youngsters to do.

Three teenage boys asked to join the meeting halfway through. One called Jaz Miller said: "The only reason why everyone stays on the streets is because when the Forest Bus isn't here there is nowhere to go."

The meeting heard the Forest Bus, will return to Hordle on January 13. Parish council leaders pledged to try to meet with local youths to discuss what facilities they would like in the village.