A MAN was attacked for defending his 10-year-old daughter in an area now at the centre of a police clampdown.

Stephen Hartley, 43, was attacked with iron bars and a car crook-lock and stabbed in the leg by the thugs who struck in Lowerhouses.

Now police have a simple message to the Lowerhouses community - tell us who did this and we'll do the rest.

Mr Hartley was watching TV at home on Ashenhurst Rise when he heard his daughter, Sharnie, screaming at the top of the road at 6.45pm on Sunday.

"She told me some youths had kicked her," he said. "She had been playing on a swing and they told her to get off or they would stab her."

Mr Hartley remonstrated with the four youths, then went home.

But the youths appeared on a path near his house a few minutes later, banged on the fence and urged him to come out.

When he did, he was surrounded by up to 10 youths armed with iron bars and a crook- lock. He was immediately attacked and while he struggled with the ringleader, others ran at him and hit him with the weapons.

Mr Hartley managed to get back home, where he realised he had been stabbed in his left thigh.

He said: "I needed about five stitches in a head wound, and the puncture wound on my leg looked as though it had been made with a screwdriver."

He was also badly bruised.

Pc Dave McSweeney, of Huddersfield police, said: "The community in Lowerhouses wants us to take action against those who spoil the quality of life for others. It is vital they give us their total support by telling us who is responsible for incidents such as this. Tell us their names and leave the rest to us."

One was white, aged 18 to 21, 5ft 10in tall, with short dark hair greased back and a tanned complexion. He wore a thigh-length black leather jacket.

Two others were white, aged about 17 and 5ft 5in tall. One wore a light-coloured hooded top and a baseball cap.

Lowerhouses and Ashenhurst is the first area in Huddersfield which has had extra police powers imposed under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003. It will be enforced until mid September. It means police and police community support officers can move on teenagers who cause problems with abuse, bad behaviour, fear and intimidation.

Those who refuse to go will be arrested. Youngsters aged under 16 found on the streets after 9pm and are causing problems or likely to cause problems will be taken home and their parents informed.

* Contact Det Sgt Mike Smith on 01484 436582 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.