POLICE have vowed to crack down on a gang of youths terrorising a neighbourhood in Accrington.

About six youths, aged between 13 and 16, have been causing problems for residents in Lydia Street and Marsden Street, in the Spring Hill area of the town.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said: "They are smashing everyone's windows and terrorising people on the estate. Recently they set fire to someone's house.

"There are groups of them going into one house and the kids are drinking in there. All the neighbours are petrified of them.

"Residents have been ringing the police and their local councillors because something needs to be done about it." Police confirmed that there was a problem and that one house in particular had become a magnet for "troublesome youths."

Sgt Bob Eaton, of Accrington police, said: "This has not been low-level nuisance, it has been criminal activity, which we have looked to counter through the community beat department.

"A number of youths have been identified, not all from that area. Several have been arrested on more than one occasion and two were detained after a premises was set alight.

"We are looking to follow up any criminal proceedings with criminal anti-social behaviour orders and the current situation is that the main problem address has now been vacated by the occupants, who have gone to live somewhere else."

Sgt Eaton added: "We will continue to deal with all these concerns as a priority and we want to assure residents that we are in charge and that their normally peaceful lives will be returned to them as soon as possible."