POLICE have launched a crackdown on young tearaways who are making people afraid to leave their homes.

The move came after 140 residents in the Infirmary area of Blackburn demanded a meeting with officers, claiming the area was quickly turning into a no-go zone. One shopkeeper said the trouble was responsible for him suffering a heart attack and spending Christmas in hospital.

Last month 83 incidents of juvenile nuisance were recorded in the area -- nearly double of that in Fishmoor, which recorded 47. There were 32 incidents in Mill Hill and 22 in Bank Top.

The police responded with the launch of Operation Embody which has seen up to 16 officers patrolling the area during the past 10 days and the use of video cameras bought for the Burnley riots to record the incidents.

Inspector Joanne Lightbown, who is heading up the operation, said six people had been arrested, with five -- all of them 17 and one 18 -- charged with a variety of public order offences and another reprimanded for criminal damage.

The bulk of the trouble has been on Mosley Street. Residents today spoke of how large gangs roaming the street intimidated them and made them prisoners in their own homes.

Many said they were to scared to give their names, through fear of retribution. All that spoke had been victims of crime, ranging from their windows being smashed to be being physically attacked. Police are still investigating an attack in Mosley Street last month where a pensioner almost lost his eye.

One resident said: "I'm too scared to even go to the corner shop. We have had windows smashed and our back gate kicked in. We were thinking of moving, but why should we? We have been here for years and we have seen it go downhill. We appreciate what the police are doing and it has calmed down a lot since they have been up here."

Fred Shepherd, 60, has lived in Mosley Street, for 38 years. He said: "I daren't take my grandchildren to the park because of all the trouble there. Kids are drinking and it's getting worse."

Mohammed Arif, owner of S&A Mini Superstore, in Mosley Street, has set up his own CCTV cameras after becoming the victim of abuse and attacks. He spent more than £3,000 on cameras to monitor his house, which is across from the shop.

He said: "I have been here 25 years but I only started having trouble in about October. I was in bed when I heard banging on the upstairs window. An hour later it started again, very loud and I ran into the bedroom where my nine-year-old son sleeps. I took him out, then moments later the window was smashed."

Mr Arif said since that incident he has been spat on and verbally abused. He blames the stress from the troubles for the cause of his heart attack.

He said: "I take 10 pills a day now because of all this. The problem is the gang of youths. They have caused me thousands of pounds of damage."

PC Mike Smith has been the community officer for the area for more than two years. He admitted the troubles were worse now than at any other time, but said police were determined to crack down on crime.

After gathering evidence he and PC Gavin Field were instrumental in closing down a takeaway on Mosley Street, which was attracting youths late into the night.

And Coun Maureen Bateson, who represents the Ewood Ward, which covers part of Mosley Street, praised this latest initiative.

She said: "We have experienced juvenile nuisance problems in the past, but there has been something of a rise in serious incidents recently. We have had a very positive response from the police and we are planning to work together, with housing associations and neighbourhood organisations."

Insp Lightbown said: "Operation Embody was set up as a direct result of the meeting and is a short-term measure. We will continue foot patrols and employ a high-visibility approach to reassure residents. We are committed to combating this problem to make the quality of life a lot better for people."