A GANG of teenagers believed to be responsible for 80 crimes in their community over the past month are being hunted by police.

Officers are so keen to put a stop to the yobs that they have produced a leaflet, which is being delivered to Daisyfield residents this weekend, urging anyone with information to come forward.

In the past month police believe a small group of local teenagers are believed to be responsible for 30 incidents of criminal damage, 27 burglaries and 23 crimes on cars, including arson attacks and thefts, in the Blackburn community. Officers believe as few as five are behind the crime wave.

Police said that the amount of crime was unusual for Daisyfield and pledged to take action to improve the quality of life for residents.

The criminal damage incidents have involved bus shelters being smashed as well as windows.

Burglaries have mainly taken place in sheds and outbuildings, particularly garages adjacent to St. Michael's Court flats.

Cars have been broken into and items left off view stolen.

In addition, a number of vehicles have been set on fire.

One pensioner from Daisyfield told how she saw two cars and a camper parked next to each other at the back of St. Michael's Court ablaze.

She said: "I looked down out of my window and thought it was fireworks until I realised what it was.

"It has been bad but things seem to have calmed down a bit over the past week."

An elderly man added: "The bus shelter has been smashed several times. One night five cars across the road had their windows smashed. It is terrible."

Ward councillor Frank Gorton urged residents with information to help the police.

He added: "It is very difficult for people to go forward to the police if they are worried. But anyone with any knowledge about what has been happening should get in touch with them so officers can tackle those responsible."

The leaflet being delivered to residents says: "Whilst crime in Blackburn is decreasing overall, we are currently experiencing a slight rise in crime in the Daisyfield area of the town.

"We have made some recent arrests and believe that this will impact on the situation.

"We appreciate that the vast majority of youths in this area are law-abiding individuals.

"However, our current intelligence, and recent arrests, leads us to believe that most of the crime committed in this area at this time, is committed by a small group of youth offenders who reside in the immediate locality.

"With your help we are confident we can prosecute these offenders, reduce crime on the area, and consequently improve the quality of the life of you, the residents."

Detective Constable Richard Sanderson added: "We have already made inroads with several arrests, but wanted the public to be aware of the issues so that we can benefit from any information that is out there on the tight group of criminals that are active."

Inspector Claire Holbrook said: "I would ask that local people who have knowledge about those who are actively committing crime contact us, in total confidence to assist us in our intervention.They can be assured that they will not be identified if they request this."

Call Blackburn police on 01254 51212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 with information, quoting log number 126eq/050106.