Arsonists force family to flee after car fire

A couple and their 10-year-old daughter watched in horror as the flames threatened their home in Whittle Street, Walkden, at 2.45am on Sunday.

And today it emerged the family had been warned by yobs in the area that they would be a target for violence.

The family say their lives have been ruined by yobs aged 11 to 13.

The mother, who does not want to be named for fear of further reprisals, said: "It is like Beirut around here. We want to move." Their car, a Ford Granada, had its window's smashed two weeks ago and yobs said they would be back.

The mother said: "All I have done is ask these kids to leave us alone but when they cause damage, we phone the police so we can claim it back on the insurance and they immediately see that as a threat and come back to do something else.

"They often goad me, telling me to phone the police. They know they can't be touched."

The family owns the house and believe it is worth £70,000. Similar properties nearby are worth £150,000.

The mother said: "I don't care how much we get for the house, I just want to move. My husband is going to hospital soon for an operation because he has cancer and we don't need the hassle.

"The parents around here let the kids roam around.

"The problem is escalating and is out of control. I have my child to worry about and I fear one day they will set fire to the house."

My husband is going to hospital soon for an operation because he has cancer and we don't need the hassle.

"

My husband has lived around here all his life and look what it has come to.

Also that night, a car outside derelict maisonettes up the road from the family's home was also set alight. The arsonists rang the fire brigade to say somebody was in the car which meant two fire engines and an ambulance were sent to the scene. The report was a hoax.

In Cleggs Lane, Little Hulton, rubbish and tins of paint in an external store cupboard of an empty shop were set alight.