TERRIFIED residents living in a once-quiet East Lancashire street today claimed it had become a "war zone" for groups of youths responsible for a catalogue of crimes.

Householders in Bold Street, Accrington, told how they feared leaving their homes after dark following a six-week campaign of abuse at the hands of local youths.

They claim their cars have been torched, a blaze was started near to a caravan and that items have been thrown through letterboxes.

They say it is now a common sight to see youths standing and swearing in the street until late at night before turning back alleys into toilets.

The residents' response has been to install floodlights above their front doors and cameras pointing out of bedroom windows, recording every move made on the street.

One resident has redirected his post so he can close up his letterbox.

Another family left the street after becoming the target of the thugs for asking them to stop swearing outside their front window.

They have since returned following assurances from the police action is being taken. Now the householders have appealed to councillors, their local MP and the police to step in to help make their street the tranquil residential area which they said it was until just six weeks ago.

A Bold Street mother, who refused to be named, said: "This was a quiet street.

"But now my children are kept awake at night by the obscene screaming and shouting.

"We believe youths burned a caravan twice and one man had his car torched the night after he had confronted a group about drinking and swearing.

"About six houses along here now have cameras pointing out of their homes so they can catch the thugs on film.

"They have turned our nice quiet street into a war zone." Another parent added: "One neighbour has boarded up a letterbox to stop them putting things through it and another has fitted a smoke detector right above his door in case more lighted material is pushed through.

"One night I looked out of my back window and they were urinating on my garden.

"I told them off but the next night they came back and stood in front of my window, shouting abuse at me."

Fire officers confirmed they had been called to the street several times in the past few weeks. On one occasion, a car was totally burnt out.

Ward councillor Bernard Dawson said: "We have become involved with the police to try and help the residents.

"Bold Street is a nice place to live and I think it is a shame that people are having to install cameras overlooking their street before they can feel safe.

"It is a very sad day for everyone when people can no longer feel comfortable in their own homes."

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope, who has contacted the police about the trouble, said: "This area is now a war zone and it is important the people responsible realise that the decent majority will not put up with their antics any longer.

"If these youths are local, their parents must know what they are doing.

"Under these circumstances, I feel landlords should tell their parents that unless the situation improves they will be turfed out."

Insp Steve Sansbury, the police inspector responsible for the area, said: "We have already intervened in this situation and I feel our intervention has helped to alleviate the situation somewhat. Arrests have been made.

"We will continue to monitor what is happening in the area and will assist the residents."