ELDERLY residents have called for an end to ‘yobbish behaviour’ of teenagers on the streets of a Blackburn neighbourhood.

John Smith, 63, said that many pensioners in the Wensley Road area have been terrorised by groups of up to 20 children drinking, fighting and abusing residents.

And Mr Smith said he wanted to speak out in a bid to bring an end to the problem.

The retired carer, who looks after his wife Jean, 67, at their home in the area, said: “There have been a lot of problems in the area in recent weeks and months.

“Groups of between 10 and 20 people have been intimidating the elderly residents.

“We’ve had kids jumping on car bonnets, knocking off wing mirrors, vandalising homes throughout the evening and night.

“There are problems from Saunders Road to Buncer Lane.

“It is hell for a lot of the residents in this area.

“And all we want is a bit of respect.

“People have a right to live in peace away from groups who behave in this hellish way.”

Police said that the issue had been made one of their local priorities after a series of complaints from residents.

But the force said reports of trouble had started to drop after patrols in the area were stepped up recently.

A spokesman said: “Anti social behaviour and youths causing nuisance to residents in Wensley Road has been identified as a problem in evenings from 6pm and at weekends.

“We have completed extra patrols around the area and problem youths have been referred to agencies.

“As a result the number of calls taken relating to anti social behaviour in Wensley Road have dropped dramatically.”