RESIDENTS who stopped an amusement arcade opening at the M65 services have set their next target: juvenile nuisance.

They have complained since the services opened about a path to Redvers Road, Darwen, where youths hang around day and evening and, it is claimed, intimidate the elderly and damage property. Residents believe the only solution is to close the path.

Today, Darwen Inspector Graham Ashcroft admitted closure of the path could help reduce juvenile nuisance but added: "I don't think it is that big a problem. I looked at the figures for that area at the beginning of the year and there were few problems reported to the police.

Resident Linda Chelton is delighted the arcade plan was refused but said she was writing to Swayfields, owners of the site where the footpath is located, asking them to also close the footpath.

She said: "My suggestion is that as they have said they are altering the path anyway, would it not be in everyone's interest to just close it full stop? One councillor said he was walking down the path one day and saw seven children truanting and some were stealing milk from old people's doorsteps.

"Last week one elderly lady came out at night and found five young men in her back yard, which was frightening. There was also a gang of about 15 youths recently firing pea shooters.

"Many people don't want to waste police time, but if we at least report things, they will be logged."

A spokesman for Swayfields said: "We will look into any concerns the residents have and if they want to write to us we will look at them in a very positive light because we are a part of the community too."