POLICE carried out an early morning swoop on houses in Burnley's troubled Stoops estate today after stone throwing youths forced firemen to leave the area.

Two people were arrested for public disorder on the West End estates last night in which a stolen car and rubbish were set on fire in the middle of the road.

Stones were thrown at fire appliances and the windscreen of one was cracked.

Fire crews were called out at 8.40pm when a stolen Ford Fiesta was set on fire in the middle of Melrose Avenue.

A group of youths were at the scene and as firefighters tackled the blaze missiles were thrown at their machine. That incident was dealt with but about half an hour later the firemen were called back to the estate to find that rubbish had been piled in the centre of the road and set alight.

Youths again threw stones and bricks one of which damaged the windscreen of a fire appliance. The fire crews withdrew leaving the fire burning.

Police patrols were also in the area and the youngsters eventually dispersed.

Chief Inspector Graham Kearns said the incidents began at 8.05pm when police received a number of complaints regarding the furious driving of a stolen car which was later set alight.

He added: "As a result of the incidents there have been a number of arrests and two people are now in the cells at Burnley police station.

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