Brick-throwing yobs have caused problems for home and business owners, with some saying it is now a regular problem which terrorises local people.

One resident, who asked not to be identified, said last week: "They play football in the High Street and they intimidate people going in to the Co-op. Sometimes they throw bricks.

"At the moment it's worse than it's ever been. We are being overrun by teenagers."

Another resident, who also asked not to be named, described the situation as 'mob rule' by gangs of youths.

In one incident an arrest was made after reports of someone brandishing half a pool cue on Institute Street last Wednesday night.

Police say they have already moved an extra beat manager officer to the area, from outside of the Ashfield and Mansfield area, and are going door-to-door at dozens of homes to reassure residents.

Officers also say they want to gather more intelligence and survey what further action residents wanted.

Andy Clarke, Neighbourhood Policing Inspector for Ashfield North, said: "We have clear targets in mind and we are gathering intelligence on them and will look to prosecute where possible.

"These targets will be visited by the beat team this week and I've also asked for our partner agencies to assist in looking at other solutions for some of the other problems residents are reporting to us."

He added a daily 30-minute police surgery at The Community Shop on the High Street had started and would run for six weeks, with times to be published on the Nottinghamshire Police website.

The action comes after residents highlighted an upturn in incidents, seemingly coinciding with the hot weather.

"It's getting as though people are scared to leave their own homes. They kick doors, throw bricks, shout verbal abuse," one person said.