RESIDENTS and councillors have called for action to be taken against intimidating gangs of youths gathering outside shops in Bury.

Up to 30 teenagers have been hanging around outside the Tesco Express stores in Bolton Road and Brandlesholme Road, and the Co-op Late Shop in Ainsworth Road.

Residents say the youngsters use offensive language, throw stones at them, and damage property.

Some of the youths are armed with bats, and have physically assaulted people, residents claim.

The problem was discussed at Monday evenings meeting of the Bury West Area Board at Greenhill Primary School.

One resident said she knew of at least one person who has received hospital treatment.

Councillors at the meeting also supported residents call for action.

Councillor Roy Walker said: "To have 20 or 30 people hanging around the streets wearing black clothing and hoodies is a huge problem. Although they have occasionally damaged property before, they have not attacked anyone. We are at breaking point, and it really is time that something was done."

But Inspector Steve Clark, who also attended the meeting, told people that the police were doing all they could to tackle the issue.

He said they had recently looked into the problem of youths gathering outside Tesco Express in Bolton Road, but they had not found the youngsters doing anything illegal.

Insp Clark said: "We have received complaints about young people hanging around outside the shop, but they are not actually doing anything wrong.

He did urge residents to collect any evidence of young people causing anti-social behaviour, so that if necessary, the police could apply for an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) against them.

Residents were also urged to contact their local police community support officers Colin Freeman and Amy Dawson to move on gangs of youngsters causing a nuisance.