Police have begun blitzing the streets of Great Horton in Bradford following complaints of child gangs leaving trails of destruction and terrorising residents.

Children as young as ten are reported to have been involved in slashing the tyres of dozens of cars and even threatening to burn down the neighbourhood's village hall.

Today ward councillor the Reverend Paul Flowers said the parents of those involved were unaware they were being "demonised" by older ring leaders.

He called on residents to make sure they knew where their sons and daughters were at all times.

Coun Flowers has complained to police chiefs about the "increasingly sinister menace" of child gangs, particularly in the areas of Dracup Road and Beldon Road, which fall between the Bradford North and Bradford South police divisions.

He said: "I suspect there are some quite vicious individuals involved.

"Dozens of cars had their tyres slashed in one night."

And he said: "The village hall is being restored and there are threats of firing it.

"There is vandalism and noise, considerable fear and real anger about what is happening."

Superintendent Colin Western, head of operations in Brad-ford South division said: "We are aware of the problems and have mounted patrols in that area."

He added a number of people had been arrested on alleged pubic order offences and revealed that the force was in talks with Bradford Council's anti social behaviour team with a view to taking long term measures.

"We would ask residents to continue to give us any information they can about the identification of the youths responsible," said Supt Western.

"We will be continuing talking to residents about the action we are taking."

Chief Superintendent Phil Read, Commander of Bradford South Division, confirmed they were also aware of the complaints and were investigating.