ANGRY residents who claim gangs of youths are terrorising their estates have warned police they are on the brink of taking the law into their own hands.

At a special meeting of Milnthorpe Residents Association this week, stories of verbal abuse, physical violence and vandalism emerged from members of the public often too intimidated to even give their names to the police.

One female resident of Owlett Ash, Milnthorpe, who did not wish to be named, claimed a youth had entered her property without permission, leaving her young daughter terrified and unable to sleep.

"I had to sit all night on the end of her bed because she was convinced he was going to come back in the night, that is how serious this is," she told the meeting.

Cumbria county councillor John Ladell said: "People even talk of weapons being carried, of bullying by a number of youngsters.

This situation is dangerous for our young children and for older people alike."

Owlett Ash resident James Nagle told police at the meeting: "People on Owlett Ash are getting fed up.

You are not doing your job.

Somebody is going to take the law into their own hands and there is going to be a death on Owlett Ash."

Acting Inspector Sean Murphy, of Cumbria police, warned residents that Milnthorpe could not bank on receiving extra police resources but said over the coming six weekends the police presence in Milnthorpe would be strong and arrests were likely to be made.

However, he admitted that, following recent arrests, two local youths had immediately broken their bail conditions resulting in a "ping-pong" situation with the courts.

He said: "You must not be afraid to speak out.

You have got to stand together and help us and we can help you."

Coun Ladell also highlighted police communication problems which have arisen from CHAD, the new police telephone system, as a serious concern.

Simon Hughes, a South Lakeland District Council housing officer, urged residents to help local authorities to make the most of their powers.

"We need the evidence from you before we can act, " he said, and suggested residents filled out diary sheets logging all anti-social incidents on their estates.

After the meeting, mother-of-two Sheila Salisbury told the Gazette: "I am a newcomer to this estate and I do not want my children tarred with the same brush.

I daren't let them out of the house.

They should be out there making friends in the community but I am an old fashioned type of mother and I can't risk them getting involved with these youths."

South Lakeland district councillor for Milnthorpe, and the chairman of the residents' association Malcolm Alston, said: "I know you have been a long suffering people, now let's do something positive about it."