A FAMILY has been forced to live in darkness for almost two years after a campaign of terror by young thugs.

The Bakers, of Ivinson Road, Darwen, have been plagued by brick-throwing youngsters who have repeatedly smashed almost every window in their council house on the St James's estate.

Their landlords, Blackburn Council, are now planning to install specially-toughened glass to stop the problem before anyone is injured.

Rudolph, 50, and sons Adam, 17, and Carl 28, have been forced to live in virtual darkness as they endure constant terror at the hands of the vandals.

Worried neighbours are calling for action against the youngsters who have terrorised the Bakers and others on the estate.

One woman said: "As soon as it goes dark it is like living in the Bronx on this estate.

"The kids come up from the other streets and they have been breaking windows and setting fire to fences.

"Our own children are too terrified to go out.

"We have to sit and watch them all night. The police come and they take the yobs away but they are back again half an hour later - it's like a living hell." Adam Baker said: "The council replaced the windows at first but they kept breaking them and so they were boarded up."

Carl said: "We would move but my mother, Monica, died here and my dad doesn't want to leave."

Brother Mark, 21,visits the family regularly from his Blackburn home.

He said: "We had another window smashed again on Saturday night.

"They just won't leave us alone."

Another neighbour of the family said: "We know who is doing this and we have confronted them, but then they terrorise us.

"I've lived here for seven years and it is like living in a completely different place than when I moved in.

"The police came and took some of the kids away the other night and they waved at everybody from the police car as if they were royalty. They just don't seem to care."

Bill Steele, from Blackburn Council's housing department said: "We are aware of the problem and have been liaising with police on the matter.

"Toughened glass should be installed at the house during the course of this week."

Ward councillor Derek Brindle said: "The family has been victimised for at least two years."

Inspector Harry Bretherton of Darwen police said: "We are aware of the situation and we are investigating."

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