INVESTMENT is clearly being made in Gleadless Valley - but problems remain and residents say the estate is still much worse than years ago.

Difficulties are exemplified by the plight of a brand new play area at Bankwood Children's Centre, next to the run-down Newfield Green shops, where plants have been pulled up and items ranging from old plastic bottles to used condoms have been strewn on the ground.

New wheelie bins have even been issued with locks on them to try to prevent arson attacks.

Anti-social behaviour was the main concern of people interviewed by The Star.

Click on the green icon above to hear residents have their say on the problems in Gleadless.

Despairing at the devastation at Bankwood, Terry Burke, aged 45, who moved to the estate two years ago, said: "It's terrible. One of the main problems is still the kids. People are scared to go out at night.

"They are becoming more aggressive and the authorities just move them on without there being enough places to go or things to do. It's becoming a ghetto. They need to be shown the right way."

One of Gleadless Valley's oldest residents, 77-year-old George Jenkins, believes the area has "deteriorated a million per cent" since he moved in 47 years ago.

He said: "It used to be brilliant but the wrong people have been brought in, some from as far as Manchester. The damage being done to bus shelters is unbelievable - every time a new one is put in it gets broken.

"The parents should be fined."

Sue Gosling, landlady of The Blackstock pub, Newfield Green, believes the situation has improved since a dispersal order was implemented, giving police the power to break up gangs of youths.

She said: "Things have been quieter lately - although some still run into the Co-op to pinch cases of lager."

But the 58-year-old added: "Unemployment is the main problem and, judging by the standard of education among some of the younger end, they aren't going to get work.

"It's the mindset - the parents don't work so they don't either.

"They vandalise everything. I had a new door costing £400 and it was written on within 24 hours - but you don't expect any better."

Despite the bleak statistics in the council report and the despondency of residents, Gleadless Valley councillors are more upbeat.

Coun Garry Weatherall said: "The key is solving problems from a young age. We have two new children's centres at Bankwood and Valley Park Primary Schools, and are working with Sheffield Futures.

"The report is based on information that is now out of date - there's been a zero tolerance on crime over the last year and it has been reduced. "Some areas have had periods where there have been no incidents at all."

Following an action week in October, three days saw no recorded crimes and only eight offences in the four days afterwards.

Coun Terry Fox said: "There's no lack of passion to improve things and we are making a long-term investment, most crucially in the future of the kids. Through Sure Start and the children's centres, we begin working with mums and dads early, and we are trying really hard to reach out to older youths who have been hard to engage with.

"Only this week, I was at Herdings boxing gym, which attracted 40 or 50 kids who might not have something else to do.

"It also teaches them about the value of exercise and healthy living, and is a great example of how they can be given an alternative to being on the streets."

Terry Wright, of Gleadless Tenants and Residents Association, added: "The report paints the wrong picture about the estate - I go knocking on doors, talking to tenants, and, over the last 12 months, there has been a vast improvement.

"The zero tolerance policy and street wardens are definitely having an effect on anti-social behaviour and the estate is turning a corner."

Sheffield Council has also pointed out how secondary schools in the area are being rebuilt to improve education, while a new "extra care" housing development at the former Hemsworth School will provide comfortable homes for frail and vulnerable pensioners.

Joanne Roney, the authority's executive director for neighbourhoods and community care, said: "Our report shows that this is a difficult area presenting a number of challenges but that we are working extremely hard with local residents to put support in place.

"The services being established in Gleadless Valley are focused around the needs of the community as expressed to us by residents. They have asked us for this support, and we are doing our best to provide it."

READ MORE OF OUR SPECIAL REPORT ON GLEADLESS VALLEY:Is this Sheffield's worst estate?

Sad decline of 'happy valley'