A TEENAGE thug pointed a lighted firework at a terrified woman's face when she pleaded with a gang to stop terrorising residents. The hooligan only pulled the firework away at the last moment as it ignited and shot off down the street. Janet Young's horrifying ordeal was the latest in a catalogue of terror suffered by women living near Brownlow Fold CP School in Halliwell.

And she has called on the police to send in extra patrols in a bid to end the reign of abuse and intimidation being enjoyed by the teenage gang.

Mrs Young said: "I am frightened of fireworks, so when he stood just as few yards in front of me and pointed it at me I was horrified.

"They'd been messing around throwing fireworks at people in the street and passing cars. I just said 'Excuse me, can you stop messing around.' Then one lad who was about 14 lit the firework and pointed it.

"All I could do was back off and try and walk away. As I did he turned his hand and it exploded and fired off down Darley Street."

Mrs Young dialled 999 to report her ordeal. A policeman came later that evening to gather details about the incident.

Mrs Young added: "They can't be allowed to carry on doing this. Someone is going to get badly hurt."

As reported in the BEN women in the area have been running the gauntlet of foul language and sexual abuse from gangs of teenagers.

Police chiefs sent an area constable to see Mrs Young.

She said: "We need something more to be done. Nobody should have to put up with this kind of thing when they step outside their house."

Supt Stewart Bailey said: "We are aware of these problems and we do take positive action wherever we can. Firework nuisance is a widespread problem and it can be difficult to concentrate resources on one particular area."

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