DEMANDS are mounting for swift action against tearaway teenagers in Brandlesholme amid fears that angry residents might take matters into their own hands.

Up to 60 youths have been causing chaos in the Woodhill Road area, with reports of assaults on motorists, rock attacks, and violent threats, including one of rape.

And at a meeting of the Bury West Area Board on Thursday (Nov 22), concerns were expressed that residents might take the law into their own hands.

Police say they are unable to guarantee an end to future problems due to undermanning. The issue was hotly debated, with emotional pleas from members of the public for immediate police action.

Mrs Claire Stebbings, of Woodhill Road, said: "The stress that we're under at the moment is unbelievable.

"My husband's car windows were smashed last night but we're just coming up against a brick wall all the time. "Nobody seems to be able to do anything about it." And Mrs Vera Hodson, who lives nearby, said: "It's intimidating, you can't even watch the television in peace because you hear them all screaming."

Inspector Gary Leversedge, of Bury Township, said that extra police officers armed with video cameras had been called out to deal with the problem the previous weekend.

They asked the youths for names and addresses, although none was actually filmed.

He said: "The intention was not to video the youths, it was to make them give their real names and addresses.

"Additional resources have been begged and borrowed from other places, but I cannot promise any further resources.

"It's not just this place, there are big problems everywhere in the borough and we're having to try to manage as best we can."

With fears raised at the meeting that residents might take matters into their own hands, area board chairman Councillor Bob Bibby told the Bury Times: "If this is the attitude of the police, what chance have the public got of feeling secure in their own homes?

"If the police can't do anything then residents will do something to overcome this problem themselves, and then there will be real trouble on the streets of Bury.

"That is not what we want and it is up to the police to say they can do something and not to be so negative."

A public meeting aimed at finding a strategy to combat the problem will be held at 6pm tonight (Tues Nov 27) at Woodbank Primary School in Brandlesholme Road.