Police are to step up action against hooligans terrorising the Braithwaite council estate.

And a community volunteer has called for those responsible to be stripped of their human rights.

John Philip spoke out after the firebombing of a car belonging to cancer sufferer Pam Sutton and her disabled foster daughters.

The same night rowdies jumped on top of cars outside the Welcome Inn while their pensioner owners played bingo inside.

Three nights earlier, on Saturday, a car belonging to a Braithwaite community leader was set on fire.

Now residents fear the gang of hooligans - focus of a long-running police operation - is deliberately targeting its critics.

Mr Philip, treasurer of Braithwaite People's Association, said the situation on the estate was worsening again after several weeks of calm.

Anti-Social Behaviour Orders were taken out against the two worst offenders last December, but Mr Philip says many more youngsters deserve similar punishment.

He said: "It's high time kids that infringe the rights of normal people have no rights at all. Their activities are disgusting. There's too much protection for them.

"Whose human rights are we talking about - normal people or the crazies who are doing all this trouble? They've got no morals.

"The police need every weapon they can use against crime. The police haven't the time to deal with it. When they get them to court the magistrates let them out."

Pam Sutton, whose car was attacked on Tuesday, has long been under siege from the yobs in her Braithwaite Drive home.

The teenagers want Mrs Sutton, who suffers from spine and lung cancer, and her 42-year-old foster daughters to move out.

She had hoped her 12-year ordeal was over just before Christmas after Anti-Social Behaviour Orders were served on the two worst offenders.

But this week she called police after what appeared to be a petrol bomb was thrown through a back window.

Mrs Sutton said: "We've been living like this for months. This gang call out obscenities.

"The only reason I am managing this is for the girls, otherwise I would crumble. I am very ill and stress like this is bad for me."

DCI Roger Gasson told the Keighley News the police would step up action in Braithwaite.

He said that although officers are not specifically linking this week's events, they are "certainly examining all avenues".

He added: "We know there's a small number of offenders responsible. We'll have to continue targeting them."

He stressed the need for information from residents, which can be given in confidence either face-to-face or by phoning 01535 617171.