The doctors surgery in Stowe Drive serves around 8,500 patients and over the past couple of months has had problems with young people congregating in the staff entrance.

After a patient forum meeting last week, participants were verbally abused as they left the building and elderly members felt too scared to walk home alone.

Practice manager Ann Beadle has been working with the police to try to curb the problem, but said parents and residents needed to help.

She said: "It is being used as a meeting ground by eight or more young men and women.

"They often come to the surgery on their mopeds and have a drink and smoke.

"We have CCTV outside and have some very clear images of them and it is very frightening to see that they are starting fires. A big part of the building is wood and it's in the centre of Southam so it could have a knock-on effect on residents living nearby.

"We are part of the community and would be devastated if anything happened to the practice. We have worked closely with the police, but they can't be there 24/7.

"Parents need to make sure they know where their children are and residents should report incidents to the police."

Sgt Mandy Crust of Southam police has been heading an operation to crack down on anti-social behaviour in the town and her officers are working closely with the surgery.

She said: "The youths also congregate in the Market Hill, Pound Way and Park Lane areas. They are regularly seen to intimidate the public by blocking pavements, shouting, swearing, drinking alcohol and generally being anti-social.

"This problem is currently our main focus. To date the operation has given us many positive results.

"We have completed numerous stop searches, carried out arrests, confiscated alcohol, taken youths home and administered street cautions for various offences.

"I must point out that the majority of youths are law abiding, well behaved and respectful individuals. But the minority who are coming to our attention are being dealt with positively and all parents must be mindful and aware of where their children are, who they associate with and what they actually do with their spare time."