THE problem of youth gangs was uppermost in the minds of people who crowded a meeting of their community forum.

Following high-profile, early-morning raids to arrest members of the RA (Race Attack) gang, people living in Northumberland Heath were anxious to know what further action police are taking to curb the gang's activities.

Although reluctant to speak publicly, several spoke privately of shops with an ethnic theme being targeted regularly by youths throwing eggs.

There were also stories of gang members trying to force their way en masse into shops and of strangers being beaten up just because gang members did not like their faces.

At least one shop owner confessed he was thinking of moving out of the area if the trouble did not stop.

Police sector inspector Steve Duffy and a team of colleagues tried to reassure people the police had the situation under control.

He said officers from the neighbouring Colyers Community Safety Action Zone would act if there was any more trouble in Bexley Road.

He said they had intervened recently when a police constable came under a hail of stones from youths.

He said as well as arrests, there had been visits to parents of those on the fringes of the gang and a section 60 order had been issued allowing police to stop and search people for weapons.

There have also been extra police patrols and a promise the ward officer will not be taken away from the area for other duties.

Residents were told members of Bexley Community Safety Partnership had visited shops in Northumberland Heath offering support and advice, especially to shopkeepers intimidated into selling alcohol to youngsters.

One resident demanded: "We know where they collect on a regular basis. Why can't you do something. Why can't you handle these kids?"

Partnership member Charlotte Sweeney urged residents at the meeting to come forward with the names of any young people involved in trouble in the area or the places where they congregate.

She said they could have diary sheets to record incidents and post them free and anonymously to the council to be followed up.

The meeting also discussed gating off alleys and improving street lighting.