Police clean up troubled estate in just FOUR days by following yobs around

But the tables were turned last week when police decided to target the thugs.

For four days, officers followed known young troublemakers at the notorious Vange Estate in Basildon, Essex, taking photographs, filming them and carrying out dozens of stop and searches.

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It resulted in crime becoming non-existent - and in the days since, it has remained "dramatically" below average.

The scheme was approved under the watch of Essex's tough-talking Chief Constable Roger Baker after the area was identified as a hot spot for crime, with more than 20 offences reported each week.

Its success means it could be moved to other areas that have fallen under the spell of criminals.

Operation Leopard launched on January 23 at the estate, which has around 1,000 properties, 750 owned by a housing association.

It is a predominantly white area, although there are large Afro-Caribbean, Vietnamese, Polish and Bosnian communities.

Just 14 people in their teens and early 20s were followed, but each was well known to the force, having built up criminal records for offences including intimidation, burglary, criminal damage, anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime.

Three specially trained surveillance officers spearheaded the operation, backed by uniformed police and community support officers.

A total of 60 stop checks were carried out and four people were arrested for offences including possession of cocaine and assaulting a police officer.

Civil rights group Liberty yesterday attacked the tactic, claiming it was "heavy-handed and a questionable use of resources".

But residents at the estate welcomed it, saying it had made the streets safe to walk again.

Mary Wilkinson, 33, said: "My car was vandalised the day before New Year's Eve. I've had a petrol bomb in my garden and a bottle of beer thrown at me.

"An operation like this is great if it stops it all happening. I've got four kids and I just want them to be safe."

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Construction worker Brian Hill, 32, had a 55ins television stolen recently in broad daylight and has put up a 5ft fence around their home to keep thugs out.

He said: "They are always hanging around taking drugs. They graffiti the walls and there are burglaries, cars being done, fights and stabbings.

"I think it's a great idea to take their photos and film them - but the presence should be permanent."

Inspector Mark Wheeler said: 'Crime and anti-social behaviour affects residents' quality of life.

"We take this very seriously which is why we decided to try this radical approach, targeting the people responsible for those problems in the Vange area."

A force spokesman added: "During the four-day blitz absolutely no crime was reported on the estate.

"Since then, crime levels have dropped dramatically from their usual levels."

Mr Baker became the county's top policeman in 2005 and immediately ordered officers to make 600 extra arrests over the next week - and not to focus on drivers.

He warned criminals: "Bring your toothbrush because you will not be going home."

He has also promised to increase the number of officers on the beat and extend police station opening times.

The number of recorded crimes in the county has gone down from 134,789 in 2004/5 to 127,163 in 2006/7, a drop of almost ten per cent.