RESIDENTS whose bus shelter has been smashed by vandals have appealed to the council: "Please don't mend it, we'd rather stand in the rain!"

Burnley councillor Gordon Birtwistle says the shelter in Cog Lane has been damaged on countless occasions by groups of youths using it as a meeting place.

"This time residents are appealing to the council not to carry out any repairs," he said.

"They say they would rather get wet waiting for their buses, than have to put up with the abuse they get from the louts who congregate there."

Coun Birtwistle, a ward councillor, added: "The area is a magnet for yobbos who make life a misery for old folk.

"The police have been called many times, but nothing changes."

He went on: "Last week we reported the shelter had been smashed to ribbons, but we still haven't seen a policeman in the area."

At a recent meeting of Burnley council's policy committee, Coun Birtwistle backed moves to appoint a "fast-track" council officer to lead the fight against vandals, wreckers and louts.

Councillors are also calling for the use of new anti-social behaviour orders against offenders and more police on the streets to stamp out crime - even if it means putting up council taxes to do so.

Coun Birtwistle, the council's Liberal Democrat group leader, said the Barclay ward was terrorised by youths and louts.

"Until we get enough police working effectively with magistrates to lock people up things will not get better," he said.

Today Mr Gordon Leyton, council engineer in charge of bus shelters, said he would take any request for the removal of the shelter to the relevant council committee for members to decide the issue.

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