RESIDENTS have threatened to withhold their council tax until something is done to tackle the unruly mob which is making their life hell.

Councillors in the Trinity ward of Burnley said residents have pleaded for something to be done.

Today, weeks after reports of the violence and intimidation first began, police revealed they had launched an investigation into the problem.

According to people living in Athol Street North, Tay Street and Elmwood Street a gang of young men are bullying and intimidating people.

Windows of houses and cars have been smashed, a wall has been demolished, break-ins have been reported and arson attacks are commonplace.

The problem is now so bad many are vowing to stop paying their council tax bills.

Inspector Dave Croll said his force was aware of the problems but had been unable to take any action because his force had not gathered enough evidence.

Inspector Croll added: "The community beat manger for Trinity has recently been made aware of the problems that have been perpetrated by a small number of householders in the Trinity area."

Trinity councillor Carole Galbraith said: "These poor residents are just fed up to their back teeth. It sounds to me like they have had months of living in fear.

"They said there is a man in his 30s or 40s who seems to be encouraging teenagers and young men to go and damage people's property.

"They have been talking about withholding their council tax because they feel they have been abandoned by the police and the council.

"I fully appreciate the distress and misery they are suffering and can understand where they are coming from. I hope the council and the police work with them to avoid that outcome.

"They feel some property owners are deliberately running the area down by encouraging this type of behaviour so the area is bulldozed and they can claim money back from the council. It is all putting a great strain on family relationships in the area."

Inspector Croll said people living in fear could give information to the police anonymously. He added: "Members of the public have been reluctant to come forward with information.

"That is not a criticism of people living there, it just means we have to pursue other ways of gathering evidence. If people are reluctant, they can give information anonymously through our Crimestoppers telephone number."

Coun Tony Lambert said more needed to be done to help stop the problem. Anti-social behaviour orders, a way of naming and shaming perpetrators, could be a solution, but Coun Lambert believes there has been a reluctance to issue the orders.

"Since 1999 there has only been five anti-social behaviour orders issued in Burnley. That suggests that the council, the police and social services are not doing their job."

A Burnley Council spokesman said six orders had been issued since 1999, but more could be on the way.

The spokesman added: "I think it is fair to say we are looking to use anti-social behaviour orders more than traditional solutions that don't seem to be solving some of the issues."