A community has vowed to fight back against three children alleged to have been terrorising villagers.

Grange Moor residents say they have been subjected to countless incidents of anti-social behaviour – all from one family.

It is claimed the three children are responsible for a series of shocking incidents around Bedford Avenue and Back Lane over the past five years.

Incidents in recent weeks include allegations that the children poured diesel on an 84-year-old’s driveway and tried to set it on fire and that they tied a rope between lampposts on Back Lane in a bid to cause a traffic accident.

It is also claimed that a 16-year-old was injured when a glass was thrown at his face and a 75-year-old pensioner has been threatened.

Now as many as 200 householders are expected to gather at a community meeting on Monday in a bid to get the family moved out of their council home.

Grange Moor man, Mark Jones, who has lived in the village for 32 years, said the situation had escalated in recent weeks and many elderly people were terrified of the children.

And he said residents were calling on Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing (KNH) which manages the council houses, to act.

“These kids are out of control,” he said.

“They’ve caused uproar in Grange Moor, criminal damage and threatening elderly residents.

“It all started five years ago when they moved in but over the past eight weeks there’s been over 15 incidents.

“KNH is fully aware of the situation.

“The police are trying but they’re struggling.

“Everyone is really fed up and we’re rallying around to get the community together again.

“We want to clean up the streets.

“It seems like adults versus the teenagers – we want it to stop now.

“We know there’s problems in every area but it’s getting to the stage now where it’s very dangerous.

“It’s only a matter of time before someone gets hurt or killed.

“As a community we’re not prepared to stand it anymore.

“There’s seven pensioners living on this road that are absolutely terrified – but everyone is scared.

“We want to be able to live our lives without fear.

“Police have been called on numerous occasions but KNH is doing nothing to help.

“They’re saying there’s been no complaints even though the police have been up three or four times a day sometimes.

“All Grange Moor residents are fed up and we’re expecting about 200 to come together at a meeting to get our point across.”

Insp Dave Barnett, from Kirkburton and Denby Dale Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT), said: “Anti-social behaviour in and around Grange Moor is a local priority, and has been for several months.

“The issue is a regular agenda item at Neighbourhood Management meetings where elected councillors and partners are engaged in finding solutions to local issues.

“Local Neighbourhood Policing officers are engaged in patrolling Grange Moor and Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing and Kirklees Anti-social Behaviour Partnership are working on medium and long term solutions to various matters which cannot be disclosed publicly.

“Residents are being encouraged to report any incidents as and when they occur, and are being supported once those reports have been made.

“An appropriate response is made to each of those calls for service.

“A project designed specifically to reduce the fear of anti-social behaviour is planned for the summer months, and will be delivered by the NPT and Special Constabulary volunteers.”

A spokeswoman for KNH, said: “KNH, the council and the police take anti-social behaviour very seriously and work together to tackle it because we understand the impact it has on communities.

“We have thoroughly investigated reports of problems on Bedford Avenue and have prepared a file for our legal advisors.

“If there is enough evidence to take the case to court, then we will take legal action against those involved.

“As we have explained to local residents at previous meetings, in cases such as these, we depend on witnesses to come forward with evidence so we can build a strong case.

“We recognise that the legal process can be difficult and frustrating for residents; however, by working together, we can and do get results.”

The meeting has been organised at The Grange pub from 7.30pm on Monday, June 24.