Shops at Highbury
Avenue have become a magnet for large groups of youngsters drinking and smashing bottles late at night.
Neighbours have told how problems have made their lives a misery.
And now police have pledged to intensify efforts to solve the problem.
"It's getting out of hand," said Muriel Lees from Highbury Chippy. "There were 30 or 40 kids out there smashing bottles and it was the same on Saturday.
"The kids are running the town.We moved here six years ago. We came from Manchester which was rough and here it was lovely to see clean streets and no shutters on windows.,
"Now things are getting
beyond a joke. I had a window broken about eight months ago.
"I think the place is going down."
Owner of the neighbouring off-licence, Shanthakumar Balasingham, said part of the problem was proxy sales – older people buying drink and giving it to those under age.
He added: "Kids are drinking and smashing bottles outside the shop and throwing empty cans all over the floor.
"They sit smoking cigarettes and they are all under-age, about 14 or 15. I call the police and when they come the kids run off and when the police go, the kids come back again.
"When we bought the shop a year-and-a-half ago it was quiet but now it's getting worse and worse."
People living nearby are also affected.
One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: "It's disgusting round the chippy
because of the broken glass."
A mother of two children, who also asked not to be named, said: "You see the kids with drink in carrier bags. They start about 8pm and drink outside the shops. It's terrible."
Police community beat manager PC Oliver Maughan said: "The area is patrolled regularly.The number of youths has increased in recent months and we will put resources in to deal with it.
"We appreciate it is difficult for the public and we will make it a priority to do what we can."