A LEADING councillor has called for a major purge on problem youths after a gang of masked thugs carrying baseball bats went on the rampage.

Gangs of as many as 25 youths wreaked havoc through the streets of Stacksteads on Friday night.

One woman was left needing hospital treatment after the gang threw a wheelie bin at her which split open her head.

And councillor Michael McShea came face-to-face with the weapon-wielding thugs when they burst into the garden of his home in Newchurch Road, where he lives with his wife Sheila.

Coun McShea has since written to Bacup's Inspector Dave Shepherd to call for more vigorous policing in the village.

He said: "The group threw a wheelie bin at a woman which split her head open.

Innocent people were getting drawn into the riot.

"Cars were having to swerve to avoid the gang who were spilling into the road.

"They had been drinking and soon afterwards another gang came down the road shouting, carrying baseball bats, golf clubs and wearing masks.

"They were in my garden so Sheila and I went out to confront them, which just by their presence made us feel threatened.

"Police then chased someone through the Peace Gardens and it was near midnight before it all calmed down."

The outbreak happened in the Dispersal Zone area near Farholme Lane -- which gives police powers to move on youths gathering in gangs.

Coun McShea added: "The Dispersal Zones are obviously not working because this happened inside of one."

Inspector Shepherd said police were in the process of reviewing CCTV to catch the culprits.

He added: "It's not a case of the youths ignoring the dispersal notice, it serves its purpose which is to give police powers to disperse groups of youngsters causing a nuisance.

"We will be stepping up police patrols in the area this weekend."

l A 17-year-old from Bacup was arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage and has been released pending further inquiries.