POLICE patrols are to be stepped up in Padiham following complaints from residents.

In the Stonemoor Bottom estate last week yobs severed a gas main and set fire to a wheelie bin less than a metre away, bringing the area ‘seconds from a fireball disaster’, according to fire chiefs.

But residents said that since youths had continued to run wild and that this had gone on for a number of months.

Ann Bartlet, 70, chairperson of Stonemoor Bottom Residents’ Group, said local youths were targeting the area.

And she said that elderly residents in the area had been left in a ‘vulnerable position’ after housing association Calico declined to install CCTV and security lights.

She said: “We haven’t seen a PCSO (Police Community Support Officer) patrolling the streets in almost seven months, and because of this youths are becoming even more disruptive.

It’s just not good enough.

“We have worked for five years to help the different authorities sort out the anti-social behaviour in our area and there is nobody around when we need help.”

Police chiefs said they had been working closely with the community.

Inspector Jes Holland from Burnley police said: “The concerns of the public are of paramount importance to us and with that in mind, I have already met personally with this group to listen to their concerns and try to address them.

“And as a result of their activity, crime and antisocial behaviour on this estate is relatively low.

“I would like to reassure residents that there is a Neighbourhood Policing Team in this area, they are contactable and they do work extremely hard for local residents.”

Andrew Williams, Calico's director of customer services, said they worked with Stonemoor Bottom residents to tackle anti-social behaviour.

But he said the introduction of CCTV and security lights was not possible due to the cost.