A MOB of youths have been warned that somebody could lose their life if they continue to stone police and fire crews.

The move came after emergency services were pelted in two separate incidents over the weekend.

A gang of around 40 juveniles targeted vehicles on Saturday night at around 8.30pm on a car park in Arthur Street, off Halifax Road, Brierfield.

And firefighters were attacked by a group throwing stones in Tunstall Square, Burnley, on Friday night.

Detective Sergeant Steve Pemberton warned: "We have established that this is a juvenile problem that is growing in this area.

"Fire crews will inevitable not risk their lives tackling fires in these situations which could end up costing somebody their life."

He added: "A large group of Asian youths were in Arthur Street on Saturday night.

"We were called to the scene along with the fire brigade after a sofa was set on fire in the car park.

"As we pulled up the youths have started throwing stones at the fire engine and at the police car.

"We arrested one youth at the scene for damaging a police car but he has been released without charge."

Detectives are now hunting members of the gang. He added: "We urgently need to speak to anybody who may have been in the area. We would appeal to anybody who knows who any of these people are to contact us immediately.

"This has happened in the past and we need to get to the bottom of it."

Burnley Council has set up a new team to help tackle Burnley's arsonists by clamping down on rogue landlords and homeowners who leave empty houses to rot.

The move came after the inquiry into Burnley's riots urged Burnley Borough Council to tackle the issue of fires in empty properties and rubbish-filled homes.

The Task Force report said that the council should seek urgent discussions with landlords with a view to establishing agreed guidelines covering the

responsibilities of landlords and tenants.

A Community Action Team was also set up earlier this year to deal with the problem of arson by tackling rubbish-filled areas.

The team works with local organisations, such as environmental health, police and neighbourhood renewal groups, operating in five local areas, Stoneyholme, Barclay, Fulledge, Coal Clough and Daneshouse.

Sub Officer Tom Simpson said around bonfire night these kind of incidents become a regular occurrence for them.

He said: "We had it happen on Friday night and I am sure that this won't be the last we have.

"Last year they were throwing fire works at us and air bombs, in these kind of instances we will just drive off and leave the fire burning providing that it won't spread and isn't endangering any lives.

"It is a real shame because we are just trying to do our jobs but unfortunately that is the way it is for us now-a-days."

Anybody with any information about the incident is asked to call Steve Pemberton at Nelson CID on 01282 472645 or in confidence by using the Crimestoppers number on 0800 555 111.