EXCLUSIVE BOLTON'S MPs will today demand new powers from the Home Secretary for judges, magistrates and the police to tackle yobs after four youngsters who hurled abuse at a dying man walked free from court.

Ruth Kelly, David Crausby and Brian Iddon are appalled that the town's youth court could not imprison the thugs who taunted 56-year-old former fireman Ken Arrowsmith after he collapsed chasing them away from his home.

Now they are writing to Jack Straw to call for action and tough new powers. They are also to discuss the issue with Greater Manchester Police chiefs and Bolton Council officers.

The incident in March, in a back street off Travers Street, was just the latest in a series of similar events in Horwich.

Mr Arrowsmith had pursued the youths -- aged between 13 and 15 -- after a gang, which included girls, threw stones, sweets and CDs at his Chorley New Road home.

Although the four pleaded guilty to public order offences, Bolton Youth Court could only give three of them 12 months' conditional discharges and a total of £225 in legal costs while the fourth, a 15-year-old Breightmet girl, had her case adjourned to January 17 for reports to be prepared.

A 15-year-old Horwich boy was discharged after no evidence was offered.

The Bolton MPs are writing to Mr Straw and hope to meet him to discuss the problem, which is widespread across the town.

Ruth Kelly, in whose Bolton West constituency the incident occurred, said: "This sort of aggressive behaviour is not isolated.

"I am deeply concerned about the growing yob culture which is creating misery for individuals and communities across the country.

"This case underlines the need to ensure that judges and magistrates are given the necessary powers to deal with aggressive and anti-social behaviour and that the police have more power to fight disorder in public places.

"I have spoken to my colleagues David Crausby and Brian Iddon who have similar problems of loutish behaviour in their constituencies and we will be taking up the issue directly with the Home Secretary.

"Many people I meet in Bolton West are greatly concerned about the activities of yobs today and I will be contacting Greater Manchester Police to discuss what can be done at police level to tackle this problem.

"The Government is already proposing giving the police more powers to close licensed premises, introduce curfews for children under the age of 16 and issue fixed penalty notices for drunken behaviour.

"I will be pressing the police to use these powers fully.

"I support the announcement by Bolton Council to appoint an anti-social behaviour officer and look forward to working closely with the new officer to ensure that a co-ordinated approach to this problem is taken."

Mr Crausby, whose Bolton North-east constituency is the home of the girl remanded for reports, said: "There is a need to clamp down on this behaviour and I will be pressing the Government to ensure measures to combat this are a priority in the forthcoming Crime Bill."