ANGRY Polefield residents are calling for a crackdown on troublemakers they claim made a misery of the last days of an elderly neighbour's life.

They want immediate action by Bury Council to deal with youths on the Prestwich estate they allege harassed a 71-year-old woman just hours before her death.

Mrs Olwyn Fisher died of natural causes at her Polefield Hall Road home on Tuesday, March 16. Her death is not being treated as suspicious.

However, residents say her life had been made "hell" because of harassment.

Mrs Janet Leach, chairman of the Polefield Action Group, claimed a group of youths verbally abused and tormented Mrs Fisher, known affectionately as "aunty Olwyn", the day before she died.

"These youths had made this lady's life hell these last few months, so much so that she was scared to go to bed and used to sleep in the chair," said Mrs Leach.

"This estate has been plagued by these louts for months now. They are well known to the police, the council and - because they are never at school - the education department.

"The anger of decent people on the estate was high and everyone said they would help in any way to get rid of the trouble makers. The police and the council must do something - and do it quickly before anything else happens."

A meeting is being arranged for residents to consider the way forward.

Mrs Fisher's son, David, who lives in Bury, is aware of an ongoing problem with youths causing trouble at Polefield.

He said: "I grew up on the estate and when I was a child it was absolutely glorious. Now driving through it, I would put a bomb to it.

"I know my mother was having a lot of problems with children and I think the abuse did take its toll, but she died of natural causes. What will happen now is up to someone else. I am not taking it any further."

A council spokesman said: "This is not a problem that can usually be solved overnight although we have shown by our actions in the past that we will take whatever action necessary, including through the courts, to stop this kind of behaviour."

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