TERRIFIED pensioners on a Bolton estate were bombarded with abuse and foul language - down their chimney flues.

Neighbours on the William Sutton Trust housing association scheme at Daubhill say young tearaways have been making their lives a misery with "an endless catalogue of vandalism and intimidation".

They say the final straw came when youths climbed on to the roofs of old folks' bungalows and shouted obscenities down the chimneys.

The pensioners, who are all too frightened to be named, fear someone will be killed unless urgent action is taken to control the young people. The estate is close to Hulton Lane Hospital and residents say cars have been wrecked, sheds set on fire and gardens trashed. And they claim some of the wreckers are only primary school age.

One tenant said: "It is dreadful. The old people are terrified. Some of them are aged over 80 and struggling to cope.

"The police are down almost every night, but the vandals always run off before the police arrive and unless they catch thm in the act, there is nothing that can be done.

"A meeting was held between residents and the estate management and we hope that action will be taken against the youths we know are behind most of the trouble.

"If this is allowed to continue one of the tenants will eventually lose their temper and there is the possibility someone will be killed.

"Every night gangs of 10 to 20 youths hang around the estate terrorising and harassing people.

"I call it 'living in hell before I die'.

"Wing mirrors have been smashed off cars, a garden shed was set on fire and if you approach any of the youths they just give you a mouth-full of abuse.

"My garage was one of many kicked in and now I can't sleep at nights because I know there is £3,000 worth of car parked outside my house at their mercy.

"We know who the main culprit is, and it would seem that the only solution for all of us would be for the estate management to threaten his family with eviction."

Mr David Ganz, area manager for William Sutton Trust, has offered to help residents set up a Homewatch scheme.

Mr Ganz told the BEN: "These matters have been brought to the Trust's attention at the residents' action group's annual general meeting and appropriate action is being taken."

He did not specify exactly what action was being taken.

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