A CRACKDOWN on problem youths in parts of Burnley - who gather in groups of around 120 to terrorise neighbourhoods - has received the backing of residents and councillors.

Police have gained new powers to help them control youths who have been making life a misery for people living near Ightenhill Park and parts of Gannow.

Residents have had to endure large public parties, featuring vodka, lager and cider, smashed windows and foul and abusive language from large gatherings in recent weeks.

But under the provisions of a new dispersal order police officers have the power, from Friday, to break up groups of two or more under 16s.

One resident, who has too worried about repercussions to be named, said: "Older people have been distraught about it.

"There is one house on the edge of the park which has these beautiful leaded windows and he must have spent hundreds of pounds replacing them, because of stone-throwing.

"This week it is the school holidays so it will only get worse. It can be very intimidating for people using the park."

Another local added: "There was a group of 12 and 13 year olds on the swings the other day, when I went over there with my grand-daughter - and they were using the most foul language so everyone could hear.

"What I cannot understand is that these shops who sell alcohol to youngsters can be fined - when they should be taking their licences off them."

Earlier this month officers descended on one gathering, of around 120 youths, and seized 83 cans of lager, 11 litres of vodka, 26 litres of cider and two litres of wine.

The next weekend police recovered 18 litres of cider, a bottle of vodka, 32 cans of lager and four cans of cider, as well as finding large groups of youths throwing fireworks at each other.

Coun Peter Doyle, who represents nearby Whittlefield with Ightenhill ward, added: "This is really good news for residents living in the area.

"This kind of behaviour has been totally unfair on them - these groups have been very intimidating for people living nearby.

"What we also need to do is get the people who are supplying them with the drink - police have already confiscated a large quantity from these groups."

The order lasts for three months and work will also be done with youth and parks officers to reduce anti-social behaviour.