POLICE today warned motorists about a terrifying new teen craze sweeping Burnley and said: "It has to stop before someone is killed."

Officers said they had received a spate of reports about the latest trend for throwing stones at moving cars.

Pennine Division, which covers Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale, has now launched a crackdown on the teen terror but warned it was a growing concern. In the past two weeks, police have been contacted about a worrying number of incidents involving motorists in Brunshaw, Westgate, Barden Lane and Trafalgar Street, Burnley.

In each instance, youngsters have used cars as moving targets and pelted vehicles with stones.

The latest incident happened on Thursday night, when two cars in Brunshaw Avenue were attacked.

Police say although there have so far been no injuries, it is only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt or killed.

Police Inspector Dave Croll said the craze seemed to be one that was spreading and warned youngsters not to join in -- or face dire consequences.

He warned: "We are concerned that this is a stupid craze that children may have heard about at school

and are getting involved in.

"The worry is that sooner or later somebody is going to get very seriously injured in one of these mindless attacks.

"We are treating this very seriously and anyone joining in with these attacks should be warned that if caught they will be charged with very serious offences.

"This sort of behaviour is not a game and we are determined to put a stop to it."

Police are now stepping up patrols in the areas where the incidents have happened in a bid to catch the culprits and wipe out the craze before it spreads into other parts of town.

Earlier this year police and transport chiefs warned that bus services could be axed after a series of stone attacks on services on Accrington Road.

Drivers refused to travel along the route after youngsters threw missiles at their vehicles, terrifying drivers and passengers. No one was injured.

Services were withdrawn and only reinstated after leaflets were distributed to passengers warn that amenities could be axed altogether if the attacks continue. Police have reported no further problems on the route.

By NICK EVANS