A Keighley councillor is calling on police to adopt a zero tolerance policy to combat anti-social behaviour by gangs of youths.

Keighley West Labour councillor Barry Thorne wants the police to take a tough line with those who cause mayhem for residents.

Councillor Thorne also told the Keighley News that recent experiences in Lund Park had left him frightened to go out of his front door.

He had gone to see a relative on Sunday and was subjected to abuse from a group of youths who also hurled a brick at his car.

Earlier in the week a rocket had been fired at him, which narrowly missed.

Residents in the Lund Park and Fell Lane area say they have been terrorised by gangs letting off powerful fireworks indiscriminately.

Councillor Thorne said: "This has been building up for the last three to four years and I think the time has come to be tough on those who act in an anti-social manner.

"I am an elected representative and when someone like myself is too frightened to go and see the people I represent, it is a slippery slope to anarchy.

"This is the first time since leaving the navy that I have been frightened to walk the streets.

"The whole of Lund Park and the area around Branshaw Special School became a no-go area on Sunday night because gangs of young men were wandering around with impunity.

"The sort of things that are going on in the area are totally unacceptable -- people have had their windows put through, they've had abuse shouted at them and have had fireworks shot at them and put through their letterboxes," he said.

"I don't think the youths doing this are hardened criminals, but what they have now got is offensive weapons. They are getting their hands on airborne bangers, that if fired at someone from a few yards could kill."

He added: "I'm pleased that the police have pulled their fingers out and that they are treating the problem very seriously. What they are doing now is exceptionally good."

Councillor Thorne organised a meeting for concerned residents last week at Branshaw Special School, which was also attended by members of Keighley police.

A progress report will be presented at another public meeting at Branshaw, on Wednesday, November 28, at 6.30pm.