A man appointed to lead a crackdown on anti-social behaviour in a Devon town has left after six weeks in the post.
Carver Tedstone was Torbay's first anti-social behaviour officer.
He joined Safer Communities Torbay as part of its Anti-Social Behaviour Team which consists of a case manager and a case worker.
The council said his work, which was to gather evidence and see cases through to court, would be taken over by local police officers.
Asbo 'hotline'
The council declined to comment on why he left and whether he would be replaced.
A phone "hotline" for reporting anti-social behaviour has just been launched by the local authority.
But some local people say that what the area really needs is more police to tackle the gangs.
Chip shop owner Dave Comer of the Foxole estate, said gangs were intimidating customers, burning fences and smashing windows. 
He said: "The basic problem is the lack of police.
"It is very difficult to get the police here and you just give up in the end."
At a meeting of local people at the Queen Elizabeth Drive Community Centre, a gang of youths forced down a metal security shutter and threw missiles against the windows before police intervened.
Inspector Mel Broad, neighbourhood and partnership officer for Torbay said: "We do have periods on a Friday and Saturday evening where our resources are stretched because we do suffer levels of anti-social behaviour across the estate.
"We have to prioritise calls as they come in."
Councillor Martyn Hodge, cabinet member for community safety, promised "swift action" on complaints.
He said: "We are determined to do everything we can to tackle the problem both promptly and effectively."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/7017766.stm
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