Families are being plagued by speeding drivers, arsonists, blaring music and drug-dealing teenagers - as well as people having sex in their cars.

The issues have been reported by residents in Sandcrest Place, Meir, after suffering years of anti-social behaviour.

The problems have got worse in recent months after the barrier broke at the end of the cul-de-sac which allowed vehicles to access land beyond the houses.

Now Stoke-on-Trent City Council has fixed the barrier and residents hope the situation will improve.

Families in Sandcrest Place in Meir have welcomed a barrier being fixed as it should prevent youths congregating on land near their homes

One resident told StokeonTrentLive: “It has been really bad. People have been taking drugs and having sex in their cars. Cars have been racing and youths have been dealing drugs.

“I am pleased the council has sorted the gate. But we need metal fencing, a larger barrier, so there is no chance of them going through.”

Stacey Croft, aged 31, welcomed the barrier being mended but fears it is only a matter of time before it is broken again. She said: “The situation has been really bad. Youths have been coming down the street at night. There have been quite a few cars smashed up and a resident’s car was damaged. A couple of cars have been set on fire. Somebody left a caravan on the land which youths smashed up. It has been a nightmare.

“I am glad the council has finally done something about the barrier.

“The land is a mess. It is an eyesore. It is only a matter of time before they break the barrier again. It won’t be long.”

Abigail Blythe, aged 42, said: “There have been too many cars coming up and down and sometimes they go too fast.

“I am glad the barrier has been mended and it should stop them congregating down there.”

Rasa Bagdonaviciute, aged 44, added: “It has been a problem. I am glad the council has listened to our concerns.”

The residents have been supported by Meir South councillor Faisal Hussain.

He said: "This piece of land has been a real concern for residents as the barrier had been broken for a while and people would turn up late at night to cause problems.

"I asked the council to look into this, and if it was possible to repair the barrier.

“This has now been done and a new lock placed on it. This will hopefully prevent cars from congregating in the area and eliminate, or at least reduce, the anti-social behaviour and nuisance in the area.”

Follow StokeonTrentLive

Download our app - You can download our free app for iPhone and iPad from Apple's App Store, or get the Android version from Google Play

Follow StokeonTrentLive on Facebook - Like our Facebook page to get the latest news in your feed and join in the lively discussions in the comments. Click here to give it a like!

Follow us on Twitter - For breaking news and the latest stories, click here to follow SOTLive on Twitter.

Follow us on Instagram - Featuring pictures past and present from across Stoke-on-Trent, North Staffordshire & South Cheshire - and if you tag us in your posts, we could repost your picture on our page! We also put the latest news in our Instagram Stories. Click here to follow StokeonTrentLive on Instagram.