THE high-profile raids on suspected teenage yobs in Culture of fear in communityHighercroft came after a trouble-torn few months for the community. Crime Reporter IAN SINGLETON looks into the background to the unprecedented action and finds out what to expect as the crackdown continues.

IT is a symbol of the trouble in Highercroft that finding people willing to speak about the problems is difficult.

Even the chairman of the residents' group in the area would not talk about the problems for fear of reprisals on his family from the young gangs terrorising Highercroft.

But by clamping down on the teenage yobs, police hope that the community will be reassured and the culture of fear smashed.

Coun Frederick Gollop, who represents Highercroft and was formerly the chairman of the area's residents' association, told of the community's fears.

He said: "People don't feel safe. They are frightened to go out. At night teenagers are hanging around in big groups.

"They probably don't think they are doing anything wrong but hanging around in big groups is intimidating, especially at night.

"If people say anything to them they sometimes get a mouthful of abuse.

"It is sad that people have to feel like they can't talk about what is happening.

"It is possible I may be harassed or intimidated for talking out, but if that's what it takes to encourage people to tell us what is going on then that's what I'll do."

The police crackdown started yesterday with the arrest of six teenage boys who were pulled from their beds and taken into custody.

But police say that is only the beginning. As well as being suspected of carrying out the burglaries, those arrested yesterday are alleged to be the leaders of the gangs that have been intimidating residents in the area. Police will now start to move down the chain and disrupt the actions of those they believe to be gang members with increased patrols and on-the-spot fines.

Inspector Mick Laraway, the officer leading the investigation, said: "The gang leaders encourage this behaviour and act as ringleaders.

"These are people that the others may look up to. Hopefully, this operation will divert them from these influences and carrying out disorder and nuisance-type offences."

Carole Shaw, an assistant director for social services in Blackburn which runs Mowbray Day Centre, in Park Lee Road that was targeted, welcomed the police action.

She said: "We are pleased that the police have taken this positive action.

"It can be distressing for people when their services are disrupted and their facilities are wantonly damaged."

Coun Gollop added: "I think everyone will welcome the police action. In future I hope we look to tackle the problem before it gets to this stage, but that is a hard job.

"This type of juvenile nuisance is a country-wide problem."