A GANG of up to 30 armed youths went on the rampage, smashing cars during a night of violence.

Police were called to Burnley after dozens of people phoned to say a mob with baseball bats, metal pipes and golf clubs was attacking vehicles in the Duke Bar and Bank Hall areas.

The incident, on Saturday night, followed an alleged unprovoked assault by a white gang on an Asian youth in Thursby Road on Friday which left the 16-year-old with serious injuries.

The victim was due to have surgery at Burnley General Hospital today.

Residents in the streets off Colne Road said today they were becoming scared to leave their houses or let their children play outside.

They claimed Saturday night's violence was the latest in a string of incidents involving gangs in the area and they predicted more trouble.

One said they were told by police Halifax Road had been closed after fears groups of youths would try to travel from Nelson to Burnley to take part in the violence.

One man in Queen Victoria Road was counting the cost of the night of violence after the rear window of his Ford Mondeo was smashed.

The man, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals, said: "This used to be such a nice area but it has gone downhill so much. It is getting to the stage where people are afraid to leave their houses, especially at night because of the numbers of youths who are gathered on the street.

"I really feel for old people who may have lived here for years and can no longer call the area their own.

"There was trouble on Friday night and then it all exploded on Saturday with the cars being smashed up. Something needs to be done or it will just get worse. As the evenings get lighter and the days get hotter I'm sure there will be more trouble."

Another man, who asked for anonymity, said: "It was very scary. The gang just seemed to be attacking cars at random, smashing windows and wing mirrors as they walked down the street. The police need to get a grip on this before it starts to escalate.

"I can't even let my daughter play in the park across the road for fear something will happen to her and for people not even to be able to park outside their own homes and have their property respected is a disgrace."

Police were due to go back to the area today to carry out door to door inquiries as part of their efforts to catch those involved.

Chief Supt Neil Smith said: "We are appealing for witnesses to both the assault and the incident on Saturday night. We will not tolerate assaults on anybody and a team of detectives are investigating that incident. Nor will we put up with large gangs of armed youths taking to the streets."

Insp Rob Campbell, of Burnley police, said: "We received several calls on Saturday night that there was a group of between 20 to 30 youths in the Duke Bar area armed with various implements who were smashing cars. We deployed resources to the area, but when we arrived there was no trace of the gang."

Bank Hall councillor Julie Cooper said: "I'm absolutely appalled by this level of vandalism. We have two policemen in the area who I work with and I will certainly be asking them for information on this incident."