SHOPKEEPERS in Deepdale have directed their anger at the police who, they say, are doing nothing to stop gangs of children -- some as young as ten years old -- turning the area in to a Bronx-style ghetto.

A parade of Asian shop owners in Harewood Road claim they are subjected to racist taunts, daily threats of violence and vandalism which has cost them thousands of pounds in stolen goods and broken windows.

One shop owner spoke of how a gang of teenagers ransacked his shop and threatened his wife with a baseball bat.

Now, angry locals and shop owners are pointing the finger at the police for doing nothing to make them feel safe.

Vora Ysuf, 54, who owns a convenience store on Harewood Road, said: "I've lived in places such as Salford for years, but I think it's just as bad around here.

"Because I have other shops, I sometimes have to leave my daughter in charge of the shop from time to time.

"But lads just come in and start hassling her and calling her. It's awful.

"I've had windows broken, mobile phones stolen and racist taunts.

"But what do the police do? Nothing at all."

Tariq Mahmood, 49, who used to own a shop in Harewood Road, added: "Kids just roam around here because they have nothing better to do."

Mr and Mrs Prajapati, who own Red Rose Wines off-license, said the police do absolutely nothing to stop the troublesome youngsters.

Mr Prajapati said: "A ten-year-old boy was in here the other day, up to no-good.

"When I said I would get the police, he turned around and said 'the police can't do anything because of my age'.

"It's a joke. The police need to spend more time around here so they can see for themselves what it's really like."

A police spokesman said: "This situation is currently receiving our full attention.

"However, a decision is still yet to be made on how best to deal with the problems in Deepdale."

Councillor Terry Cartwright, who together with his wife Coun Joyce Cartwright toured the area this week to speak to residents and shopkeepers about the problems they face, said: "These people are not being protected as well as they should be.

"One shopkeeper had a litter bin threw through their window by a gang of kids.

"It took the police between 12 and 15 hours to respond to his original call."

Pictured are Deepdale councillors Joyce and Terry Cartwright with Harewood Road resident Tariq Mahmood.

sgibbons@lancashire.newsquest.co.uk