Road block!

The householders live close to a back street, off Ainsworth Road, which residents use for parking and where there are a number of garages.

But they are so fed up with damage to cars and the garages that they are now considering paying for the "road block" to close off the street at night and keep the yobs out.

Thugs use the back street, near the junction with Herbert Street, after dark, damaging and breaking into parked cars, stealing vehicles and vandalising the garages.

Residents have to continuously clear up damaged garage panels and there are fears that some of the asbestos garages, when smashed, could cause a health hazard from the dust particles.

Now residents are organising a meeting and will invite representatives from the police and Bury Council to discuss what can be done to stop the vandalism.

Neil Howard, a 32-year-old father-of-three, said: "This is a last resort for us, really. We don't want to have to take the law into our own hands.

"But we want to protect things that we have paid for and our taxes have paid for. It is not fair that this should carry on.

"My daughters ask if they can play out in the back street but I just cannot let them. One lady who lives in this street has had her car broken into three times. It is time something was done.

"I go out sometimes and wonder what I will come back to, especially at night. It is ridiculous."

The group has already discussed ways that the road could be blocked off, but still allow access to the emergency services.

Mr Howard added: "At the moment we cannot leave any items unattended, or they will be stolen or damaged. It is just not a way to live. We deserve better.

"We want to get the ball rolling for us and people living in areas with similar problems."

Some residents voiced their concerns at Monday night's (March 22) area board meeting at Radcliffe Civic Suite. Police said they could take action if they had the names and addresses of those damaging property.