ANGRY residents are calling for the closure of a nearby children's home after a series of incidents.

Police were called to the Limes Care Home, in New Century Road, Laindon, after the home's front door was smashed by a gang of drunken youths.

Jill Hyde, a Tory Laindon Park councillor who lives opposite the care home, witnessed the attack and told how it was the latest in a long line of unsavoury incidents.

However, county councillor Tracey Chapman, who is in charge of children's services, said it was the first complaint for "some time".

Mrs Hyde said: "Resi-dents have had enough - it is disgusting we have to put up with this.

"A residential area right by a school is totally unsuitable for this type of home.

"I believe the only answer is to close it and move it out of a residential area."

Mrs Hyde said residents had endured groups of up to 30 youths drinking, shouting, intimidating people and smashing property for many months.

She continued: "It is not only people living there, but it is a magnet for older youths."

She claimed objections raised with the county council, which manages the home, have so far fallen on deaf ears and the authority is reluctant even to admit there is a problem.

She said: "This time I have written to county councillor Tracey Chap-man, MP John Baron and Basildon Council's anti-social behaviour team.

"I won't take no for an answer."

On Sunday, police arrived in three cars with dogs following reports of the door being smashed.

Police confirmed a 20-year-old-man had been arrested and cautioned for causing criminal damage.

A 50-year-old woman resident, who asked not to be named, said she had had knives, cricket bats, roof slates and even used condoms thrown into her garden by youngsters she believes live in the care home.

She said: "These boys are out of control.

"They hurl things over the garden fence all the time, right near my children. They have even thrown stones at my car.

"You should hear the language they use - it is absolutely disgusting.

"It is within the earshot of and directed at local residents, including very small children, all the time.

"Something has got to be done about moving this care home before someone gets badly hurt. It's totally in the wrong place."

However, Mrs Chapman said there were no plans to close the home.

She said: "I am upset this has been raised with the media.

"The children living there have already been through a lot.

"I am surprised at suggestions the home should be moved from residential areas.

"It is, after all, their home, from where they go to school and college.

"How can anyone suggest isolating children who have already had quite a bad start in life?"

However, she admitted the problems experienced were regrettable.

She added: "It is often connected to people who do not live there, but hang around the area and this is a matter for the police.

"We are doing all we can to work with local people so it has the least impact on the community.

"Unfortunately, occasionally things go wrong, but this is the first complaint for some time."