RESIDENTS today appealed for a notorious alley used as an escape route by burglars to be closed off after claiming it posed a danger to people, homes and property.

The dark and overgrown alley, which runs from Lytham Road to the Roman Road estate, Blackburn, has become a haunt for teenage gangs who use it as an escape route after committing crime on their street.

A petrol bomb was recently hurled down the alley, just yards from where a group of youngsters had been playing just moments before.

Louts also use the alley for drinking, brawling and urinating and residents claim they have had rocks and abuse hurled at them.

Police today confirmed it was probably the worst alley in Eastern Division, which covers Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley and backed calls from councillors and residents for it to be shut.

There have been 14 cases of juvenile nuisance in the area in the last month, along with seven burglaries -- and police said the true level of crime was much higher because not all crimes are being reported.

One resident said today: "We have stopped reporting things unless it gets really bad because the police can't always get here on time and things get worse for the people who ring the police because the thugs go for them especially then."

The residents launched a petition, winning the backing of councillors and the police after a gang of youths who regularly gather on the alley began urinating over a wall into gardens.

Councillors have now asked for a second survey to be carried out in the Lythan Road area of Blackburn after deciding the results of the first one were too close to call.

The survey, carried out by volunteers in the Higher Croft area, resulted in 125 people being in favour of closing the Lytham Road path, with 129 against. But councillors believe the vote didn't show a true picture because the people who voted against closure were those living furthest away.

Coun Andy Kay, who represents Higher Croft, said: "I think it is best all round if the council gets its officers to carry out a survey of residents views.

"This is a delicate matter and causes a lot of people distress. We need to be sure of the results of surveys before we take any action."

Coun Ashley Whalley, a councillor for Higher Croft, said: "This area has problems with crime and it does seem to centre around this pathway.

"We need to consider people's safety and their views as well. Closing this path would be a good way forward but we need to look at who we are asking to make sure we ask the people who are really affected by this."

One of the residents, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals, said: "They break into houses and vandalise things before using the path as an easy escape route.

"Others congregate there and turn violent when we ask them to calm down.

Another resident said: "We have also found syringes and condoms down there.

"When we dared to complain about them, they started throwing rocks at us. Motorbikes also speed along there late at night."

A report to the planning and highways committee of Blackburn with Darwen Council said the path was not of a design recommended to reduce crime and disorder, encouraging criminals to use it as an escape route.

A police spokesman said: "It is one of our worst spots in the area. It does cause a lot of problems and closing it would be the best solution." Sgt Dunnagen said: "We have worked with the council to see what else could be done, like better lighting or higher fences but nothing was really an option.

"Closing the alley is the best thing to do as it does cause us a lot of problems at the moment. The situation has become worse since February and we have tired everything else first like patrolling the area.

"But we can't post police officers at either end all the time."

A request to close a second pathway, running from Norbreck Close to Flimby Close was also received. Some 115 people want the Norbreck Close alley shutting, with 97 opposing such action. Councillors have also asked for another study on the problems on this path.