A FULWOOD resident has blasted the police for failing to tackle what he says is an escalating problem of juvenile nuisance around the Lovat Road area.

The resident, who wants to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals, revealed he and his neighbours are suffering at the hands of gangs of youths, who vandalise property, mug people and burgle houses - just like at Brookfield's Sion Estate, highlighted in last week's Citizen,

On the third occasion the man reported vandalism to his bike, he was sent a crime report form by post because the police couldn't send officers around - despite the fact that the offenders were still in the road an hour later.

He said there are so many problems in the area residents fear the police are simply giving up.

He added: "What we experience is not a one-off.

"It's a similar story all around Preston.

"Sometimes the yobs will just stand there, trying to kick your door down while you watch them."

The resident, suffering stress-related illnesses made worse by the attacks, wants to move away from the area with his girlfriend.

He, like others, has been pelted with sticks, stones and broken bottles by mobs of youngsters.

He added: "The police seem incapable of doing anything. They say they simply don't have the manpower or can't track down the offenders - even if we give them names.

"They tell us we have to supply names and addresses and catch the thugs in the act. But we can't touch them if we catch them, that's assault."

"We're getting used to this and if the police aren't careful, some people may well take matters into their own hands."

Inspector Russ Morgan from Preston Police said: "If people are experiencing problems, we will investigate. It is not by any means the worst area in Preston."

The area is the latest to appeal for help over young yobs after the Callon estate, Calder Street area and the Sion Park estate all hit the headlines because of the thugs.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.