PEOPLE have been left ‘terrified’ and ‘scared to walk the paths’ because of a spike in anti-social behaviour from mini-motorbike riders.

Huncoat residents said they have been plagued by the bike riders for months and it is thought the riders have vandalised kissing gates recently installed in Altham Lane.

They cost around £700 and were paid for through money raised by the Huncoat Community Forum.

However this is just the latest incident from a long standing problem according to Chris Wilkinson who lives in the area.

The 68-year-old said: “I’m not worried, I’m terrified.

“It’s a really bad situation. I’m frightened to walk down paths at night in case these people are there.

“We need to get the people involved recognised otherwise someone will get seriously hurt.”

Part of the gate, which was installed at the end of December, has been broken off and thrown over a nearby fence, which has now been retrieved.

Plans are in place to repair the gate by welding it back together and to reinforce it to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

Forum chairman Roy Chetham, 69, said he saw motorbike tracks on the path leading to the gate.

He said: “People in the area are plagued by this mini-motorbike nuisance.

“It’s absolutely appalling what we are having to deal with from these motorbike users.

“The path is getting completely destroyed, it’s a real shame.”

The project to install the gates was lead by former Hyndburn councillor Dave Parkins, who is a member of the forum, and he said he was frustrated to see the damage to the gates.

He said: “There must have been a few of them involved to cause that sort of damage.

“Mini-motorbike users have just been causing havoc in the area.

“It’s really frustrating to see this vandalism, but it’s hard to stop.”

The incident has been reported to police.

PCSO Jenny Kenyon said: “The kissing gate in Altham Lane were vandalised but unfortunately we don’t have CCTV footage or any witnesses.

“Motorbike nuisance is a problem in the area, we are aware of that.

“We have had quite a few messages on Facebook about the issue and we have tried to increase patrol, but when people see the police they just ride off.

“It’s just a case of increasing patrols in the area and encouraging people to come forward with the riders' names.”