CABBIES threatening to withdraw services after a series of attacks by youngsters today claimed police action to halt the problem has come six years too late.

Drivers claim they have been complaining to police for years without anything being done.

Police have now launched a crackdown after a series of incidents in which gangs of youngsters have thrown bricks and stones at taxis. The problem is especially prevalent in the Accrington Road and Coal Clough areas of Burnley.

In one incident in Accrington Road a windscreen was smashed by a brick.

Drivers say someone could have been killed and have threatened to ban trips to certain areas of the town unless police action is effective. Last week bus drivers refused to travel the number 12 Accrington Road route after youngsters threw missiles at their vehicles.

A poster campaign has been launched by the police, Burnley Hackney Carriage Association and the Private Hire Association, appealing for information to catch the culprits.

But vice-chairman of the Private Hire Association, Zaffar Ali, who used to run Adams Private Hire in Rossendale Road, said police action was well overdue.

He said: "When I ran the cab firm I used to log about 30 calls a month to the police about incidents like this and nothing was done. This campaign is all very well but it has come six years too late.

"I lay the blame for this sort of problem squarely at the feet of the council because of the lack of facilities for youngsters. Things like play schemes have been cut right back and the kids have nothing to do."

He added: "These people will throw anything they can lay their hands on, from bricks and stones to bottles and pieces of wood. Somebody will be badly hurt if the problem carries on."

Habib Rehman, of the Burnley Hackney Carriage Association, added that drivers would have no hesitation in refusing to go to certain areas of the town.

He said: "There is a very real threat that services will be withdrawn. We are concerned about the safety of passengers and drivers and the last couple of weeks have made us think about what we can do to safeguard people and one thing that was discussed was to withdraw services from some areas. We depend on the police to control the situation and to arrest these youngsters to stop these incidents."

Sgt Dave Fleming, of Burnley Police, who is leading the clampdown, said: "This has been a problem for some time but we are aware that it does seem to have become more prevalent. We are increasing patrols in the problem areas and have a mobile patrol to respond to incidents involving taxis or public transport."

Anyone who has information about attacks on taxis or buses can contact Burnley Police on 01282 425001 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.