A 73-year-old pensioner has slammed police for time wasting after she was threatened with being arrested for refusing to return a training shoe to a five-year-old boy.

The woman, from Haworth, who we are not naming, said the incident began when someone started throwing stones over a wall onto her drive.

She said: "Then a Nike trainer came flying over and I thought, 'Right, you're not getting that back'."

Police were called to her cottage, off Bridgehouse Lane, by the family of the five-year-old owner of the shoe.

She added: "There was no suggestion of an apology from the lad. I was there in my pyjamas, and the police were threatening to arrest me"

She claimed the police were being petty, claiming they should be spending more time dealing with the gangs of teenagers causing trouble in the area. She said: "They spent all night over that! What a tremendous waste of police time."

The woman's husband said: "They weren't interested in anything but the shoe.

"They don't care about throwing stones or the problems with yobbos in this area. Now that is wrong."

The dispute was finally resolved and the footwear returned.

The couple have been plagued by gangs of youths for months. They have had eggs thrown at the house, garden ornaments taken and their windows smashed by stones.

"And I'm not talking about pebbles, these are big stones being thrown," added her husband.

Neighbours have also reported washing disappearing off lines.

The couple said they have been told by police in the past that there was no need for police presence in Haworth.

Her husband added that the arches near Bridgehouse Beck and the railway line, the derelict mill near Ivy Bank Lane and Gas Street car park are havens for yobs.

He added: "It's incredible, the fear they are instilling in the people around here. They have taken over in their own way," he added.

The police said the couple's concerns would be referred to the POP team (Problem Oriented Police) and someone would come out to see them.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: "The local community beat officer has been made aware of the concerns raised by the woman and will be in contact soon."

They confirmed police were called to the incident but made no comment about her claims of being threatened with being arrested.

The incident was revealed as the Government announced it is putting £22 million towards local crime reduction partnerships over the next two-and-a-half-years.

In a speech to the Anti Social Behaviour Symposium this week, Tony Blair urged police and local councils to make greater use of their powers to curb anti-social behaviour.

He said: "To the police, housing officers, local authorities - we've listened, we've given you the powers, and it's time to use them.

"You've got new powers to give fixed penalty fines for anti-social behaviour, without going through a long court process -- use them."

Worth Valley councillor, Glen Miller is worried about the growing problem of youths in the area.

He has sent letters to residents urging them to call the police if they have any problems with the gangs.

He said: "There has recently been an upsurge of reports about anti-social behaviour in Haworth. I have visited the area and found evidence of drug-taking and copious amounts of empty drinks containers.

"The more calls the police get, the more they will be able to see that this area has a big problem with anti-social behaviour."

He recently visited the problem areas and photographed drug paraphernalia and beer cans which were later removed by the council.

To report anti-social behaviour, contact West Yorkshire Police on 0845 6060606.