WORRIED parishioners have resorted to sitting in darkness in their own homes in a bid to avoid yobs and vandals aged as young as seven.

Parish priest Fr Roger Smith, said that members of his congregation won't venture out at night for fear of abuse from a group of up to 40 youngsters attacking property and verbally abusing residents.

Police and Rossendale Council today pledged to continue a crackdown on bad behaviour.

Fr Smith, from St James CE Church, Haslingden, said: "One lady, in her 70s, told me that she has sat in her house with her lights turned off because she is scared of people coming hammering on her windows.

"Another lady told me she had problems with people throwing things in her garden, but she wouldn't go out and say anything because she worried that she would have a brick put through her window."

Fr Smith, 55, said the problems have increased since he came to the parish seven years ago and it is now so bad he won't go to the church or neighbouring primary school, St James C of E, where he used to be a keyholder, at night -- even if the alarm bells are ringing. A security firm has been hired instead.

He feels so strongly about it that he has written letters to Prime Minister Tony Blair, Home Secretary David Blunkett and local police and housing officials.

The former teacher believes the problem is not just restricted to Haslingden but is an "open concern" for society.

He said: "Just recently I saw a seven-year-old boy kick the back of a car and then smash a lamp.

"I have also been threatened by a group of youngsters on my way home from the church, one of whom appeared to be high as a kite on drugs, and other parishioners have been shouted at and taunted for no reason.

"We have also had a lot of vandalism of church property and graffiti on the war memorial.

"It is not the fault of the local police. The local community officer is wonderful but the force is fully stretched."

Resident Ken Gibson, 71, has lived in Haslingden for 30 years. He said: "The problem has definitely got worse. They have chipped the war memorial with hammers and there are swastikas and swear words all over it.

"It is absolutely vile and disgusting.

"At one time I would walk into the town centre at night, but I wouldn't risk it any more.

"It is terrible because it is making into people prisoners in their own homes.

"It is a shame. Haslingden is a good town really. It has just been infested by these types of people."

Inspector Roger Ravenscroft from Lancashire Police, said: "I am aware that Fr Smith is frustrated with police staffing levels, however, over the coming months the Rossendale Valley will be getting an additional number of community beat managers who will be dedicated to certain areas, including Haslingden, and will go some way to providing reassurance to concerned residents."

A spokesman for Rossendale Council, said: "Anti-social behaviour is something we take very seriously and have worked closely with the police in imposing a number of ASBOs in recent years.

"This type of behaviour, however, is part of a wider social problem that involves police, education, local authorities, parents and general civic expectations and duties."