FAMILIES living in fear are demanding that young troublemakers be banned from the streets in night-time curfews.

Frustrated residents in theTonge Moor and Tonge Fold area are suffering vandal attacks, verbal and physical assaults and even arson attacks on a nightly basis according to councillors.

And it is claimed residents have lost confidence in the police to deal with the issue.

Cllrs Nick Peel, Elaine Sherrington and Frank White, who is also a member of the Greater Manchester Police Authority, have been flooded with calls from residents demanding action.

The councillors say residents believe their calls for police help are falling on deaf ears and that bringing in curfews for known troublemakers would be one way of guaranteeing a greater police presence in the area.

In a letter pleading for help to Supt Stuart Bailey, head of Astley Bridge, the councillors say: "There appears to have been a complete breakdown in confidence in the police to rectify the situation."

A police spokesman was unavailable for comment.