Police have pledged to increase patrols around a kickabout court where footballers have been causing a headache for neighbours.

But Ben Mumby-Croft, who lives next to the pitch in Crescent Road, Temple Cowley, Oxford, believes something needs to be done to protect nearby homes once and for all.

The 32-year-old is demanding Oxford City Council resolves the problem caused by the frequent bombardment of balls.

He said: "It's not huge destruction, just persistent damage, broken doors, windows, drainpipes and guttering.

"The major problem is the confrontation - going outside and asking groups of teenagers to stop - it makes your house a target."

The Oxford Mail reported in March that the spot had been closed following complaints from neighbours, but the fence was vandalised and teenagers carried on playing.

The city council was supposed to fit a more secure fence, but it had not been finished by the Bank Holiday weekend.

Mr Mumby-Croft said youngsters had returned and stray footballs were again starting to cause problems for residents in the street.

He said: "My wife, who is pregnant, went out to ask them to stop and a ball was kicked in her direction.

"I don't whether it was deliberate or not, but the fact of the matter is something has to be done. It has been a problem for too long."

Mr Mumby-Croft also said it was unacceptable that the play area was not supervised, and did not have fixed opening and closing times.

Insp Richard Brown said police patrols in the area would be increased over the next few days.

He said: "We received calls from a few residents about this incident, and in the short time before we were able to attend, we had been informed the youths had moved on.

"I have already spoken to Mr Mumby-Croft and my team is scheduled to meet him and other residents in response to their calls."

Meanwhile, Oxford City Council also said it would be keeping tabs on the area, and would try to fix the fence as soon as possible.

A spokesman said: "We are fully aware of the problem with fencing at Crescent Road all weather pitch.

"Specialist contractors are currently in the process of erecting new fencing which should be finished by the end of the week.

"In the meantime, the area has been left in a secure state, and signs have been put up telling users that the area is out-of-bounds.

"Our park rangers will be making regular visits to the area to prevent people from using it and local residents have been given contact details."