SPITTING, swearing, abuse and vandalism – this is what some residents on a Gloucester estate have to endure on a daily basis.

Figures show reports of anti-social behaviour at Kingsway has rocketed 25 per cent in a year.

A total of 175 incidents have been reported to police in eight months. Between January and August reports of trouble increased by 35 compared to the same period last year.

One resident said youngsters picked his flowers, banged on his windows and left their toys in the road, making it difficult to get in and out of the street.

He said: "It seems like a life sentence of hell. We are totally frustrated.

"The mess in the street includes plastic Tesco shopping bags, bedding, clothes, toys, bikes, plastic drinks bottles and dog mess.

"The children use the street for football, kicking the ball against other residents' cars or garage doors."

Another resident, who also asked not be named, wants to move away from Kingsway because the behaviour is so bad.

She said: "These range from youths who swear, spit and vandalise, and adults who you'd think know better swearing and spitting."

Jeanette Gardiner, 67, said: "We get teenagers coming down drinking late at night.

"It tends to be one Friday or Saturday night a month.

"I also go out and pick up all the cans and bottles once a week."

It is also thought that the three families evicted from Overbrook Road, Hardwicke, last month because of their anti-social behaviour were moved to Kingsway, although police have refused to confirm it.

But some residents on the estate are more positive and insist it's a small minority who are intent on spoiling Kingsway for the majority.

Work on the estate started in 2007, with the idea that once complete Kingsway will have 2,600 new homes.

But the work has not finished yet and in terms of infrastructure, no shops are yet on site.

During the summer around 900 soldiers from Nato moved from Germany to Imjin Barracks at Innsworth, and many families moved to Kingsway to live.

The hope is that things can get better as more people move in.

Student Kimberley Poppitt, 27, said: "There are no problems in this part of Kingsway, but it is a large estate."

Craig Fairgrieve, 20, who recently moved to Kingsway when the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps moved from Germany to Imjin Barracks, said: "It's peaceful. We haven't had any trouble."

Others said children needed more areas to play in.

Charmaine Sly, 29, said: "There's ups and downs, and it's boring.

"There's nothing for young kids to do."

Mary Dale, 45, a healthcare assistant, said: "I like my little bit here.

"It's not too noisy, although on Saturday night a big gang of teenagers was in the park."

Paul Winstone, 52, who works in the NHS, said: "I haven't experienced any anti-social behaviour"

Councillor Fred Wood, who represents the area, admitted that Kingsway needs attention, but said improvements were being made.

He said: "Most people who talk to me say there's no real trouble in Kingsway." He said many residents in the estate saw nothing, but there were pockets of Kingsway where behaviour needed addressing.

He is one of many people taking part in the Have Your Say event on Saturday, door-knocking residents off Thatcham Avenue, asking them for their views.

Chris Jackson, a spokesman for Gloucester Police, said: "While there has been an increase in anti-social behaviour this year, we do not believe there is a major problem in the area and Kingsway remains a nice place to live."

He said many incidents stemmed from parking issues and neighbourhood disputes.

He added that police were taking ASB seriously, and were monitoring areas where incidents were more likely to happen.

A youth club has also been set up.

Anyone experienced anti-social behaviour should call the police on 0845 090 1234.