Families in Flint and Connah's Quay say they have been plagued with anti-social behaviour and that their lives have been disrupted since Clwyd Alyn Housing Association began using houses in their streets as rehabilitation properties for offenders released from prison, as part of the Flintshire Doorstop scheme.

The scheme is carried out in partnership with Flintshire Council and Nacro, an organisation that aims to bring down crime levels. Both Clwyd Alyn and Nacro have moved to defend the scheme, but residents say their lives are being made a misery.

One resident of Flint, who did not wish to be named or even reveal the name of her street due to fears over possible repercussions, said: "We have had so many problems over the past few weeks, with these people drinking late at night and making a real nuisance of themselves.

"They are very noisy and have ruined the house that they are living in. They have no respect for anyone living in the street, which used to be a decent area.

"Myself and my family are very intimidated by them and there are a lot of elderly people in our street, so I have no idea how scared they must be.

"I understand that ex-offenders have the right to live somewhere, but they should not be placed next to young children and families.

"I have no idea what to do or what will make the situation better. We just don't know what the answer is."

Another resident added: "There are a lot of elderly people and young families in our area and it is not fair for them to have their lives disrupted like this.

"They are really scared and it should not be happening. Everyone in the street is scared and intimidated and we do not know who will be living near us next.

"Something really needs to be done to improve life for everyone in the area."

The organisations behind the scheme say every effort is made to minimise their impact.

A spokesman for Clwyd Alyn Housing Association said: "Under the Flintshire Doorstop scheme, the association has provided six properties.

"Nacro provide support to the tenants, with 100 per cent nominations from Flintshire Council.

"The local authority was the lead agency in making the bid for funding and we are pleased to be working in partnership with them.

"Clwyd Alyn Housing Association, as a responsible registered social landlord, regulated by the Welsh Assembly and working in partnership with Flintshire Council, takes very seriously any allegations of anti-social behaviour.

"Any such allegations in relation to the association's tenants, or other occupiers who are impacting on the association's tenants or properties, are responded to in the first instance by the local housing officer, who will investigate the complaint by interviewing all parties and liasing closely with the police and council.

"If the initial investigation reveals serious problems, the complaint is usually passed to the association's specialist anti-social behaviour team, who are able to take prompt legal action to tackle the problem at source.

"The association's anti-social behaviour team has received national recognition and praise from the Housing Ombudsman service for its leading edge use of recent legislation to secure anti-social behaviour orders, injunctions, and mandatory tenancy demotions against perpetrators (including against owner occupiers causing harassment or nuisance to the association's tenants or staff).

"Any information about alleged anti-social behaviour should be reported in confidence to the assocation's housing team, who will respond quickly with appropriate advice and action."

Speaking about a specific property in Flint, Vin Murtagh, Nacro area manager, said: "Nacro takes the safety and security of our projects and their neighbours very seriously. Along with the property landlord Clywd Alyn Housing Association, we have acted upon every complaint made about the property.

"On Monday, Nacro and Clwyd Alyn staff held a meeting with the council and other agencies to agree a positive action plan to deal with the problems and we will continue to support the tenant to keep to the terms of his tenancy.

"To date we are not aware of any complaints to the police, but if any local residents have concerns about illegal activity in the area, we would encourage them to contact the police immediately. We are also happy to work with the local councillors and others to resolve these problems as soon as possible.

"The Flintshire Doorstop project is commissioned by Flintshire Council and is designed to help people with substance misuse problems by giving them stable accommodation while they access drug rehabilitation programmes. In addition to their drug treatment, tenants receive additional support from Nacro helping them with life skills to do with keeping their tenancies, such as budgeting, cooking, and safety."

Flint Castle ward councillor Ian Roberts has questioned the scheme after complaints from a number of residents, and said: "From the evidence I have received, I feel that the management of these properties is sadly lacking.

"I am aware of the need for offenders to be rehabilitated into the community, but with bad management, the effect this can have is appalling.

"If this practise is to continue, there must be adequate supervision to ensure that the lives of nearby residents, whether they are living in owned or rented properties, are not subjected to the levels of disruption that some residents in the ward I represent have been."

He added: "I agree that ex-offenders do have rights, but what about the rights of the local residents, who have invested time and money into their properties, to make them into homes for their families, only to find that the property next door is now a Doorstop property? There seems to have been precious little consideration for these people and I hope that these properties are distributed fairly across the county and not concentrated in one area.

"I also believe that properties being used for this purpose should be subject to a change of use planning application, as in these circumstances, the property concerned is really no longer a domestic dwelling.

"I intend to raise the matter at the next meeting of Flint Town Council, when I will propose that we write to our AM, Sandy Mewies and the Welsh Assembly, asking for a change in planning regulations to this effect.

"My main concern is the quality of life of local residents, who have carried out these investments in their homes and the fact that, in my opinion, they are the last people to be considered in this whole process.

"Many have had their lives devastated by the arrival of one of these properties in their area."

Fears have also been voiced in nearby Connah's Quay, where a similar project is being run.

Connah's Quay Central councillor Bernie Attridge said: "Although I respect the fact that offenders deserve to rebuild their lives in the community, I think it is paramount that local councillors should be informed when a house is being used for that purpose in their ward.

He added: "We just need to know what is going on so that we can advise our constituents properly."