RACIST thugs are being blamed for a seven-year reign of terror which has left a family living in fear in their own home.

The family, who are too frightened to be named, say they have been the target of abuse, vandalism and arson attacks.

Last week, firebugs poured petrol through the letter box of their Darwen home and cut telephone wires before trying to set the house ablaze.

Detectives are investigating the fire and are keen to hear from anyone with information about the attack.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has confirmed some action has been taken and housing bosses are planning to talk to the police.

One family has already agreed to move away from the area following discussions with the police.

The couple, who live in Anchor Drive with their three children, say they have been forced to spend £1,000 on turning their home into a fortress.

Special locks, security cameras and alarms have been installed following a series of frightening incidents.

The family claim their car has had sugar poured into the petrol tank, the children have been threatened in the street and there have been three arson attacks. The wife, who comes from Mauritius, has been assaulted and the family have received a stream of threatening phone calls.

The frightened owner of the house in Anchor Drive said: "The simple reason these people are doing this to us is because my wife is black.

"My family live in fear and my three children are too scared to play out in the street.

He added: "My wife has been attacked and subjected to foul and abusive language.

"We have had to change our telephone number three times because of the number of threatening phone calls we were getting."

Steven Rees, the family solicitor who works for Darwen Law Chambers, said: "I have represented this family for some time and it recent months this situation has deteriorated. "There is no doubt in my mind that there are some racists living on this estate who are targeting this family.

"The situation has escalated in recent months and it is getting to the stage where someone is going to get badly injured."

A spokesperson for Blackburn with Darwen Council confirmed: "We have been in touch with this family and some action has been taken

"We have been informed about this latest incident and we will be talking to the police."

Inspector Stuart Coates, of Darwen Police, added: "We received a complaint about racist abuse last year and inquiries were carried out.

"There was not enough evidence for a criminal prosecution."

He said one family had agreed to move away from the area.

He added: "The latest incident was a serious offence and we will be carrying out inquiries."

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