SHOPKEEPERS have spoken out after being terrorised by a gang of yobs.

Premier Wine manager Harjinder Lidhran says a group of teenagers have been targeting Locksbottom for the past five months.

She says the yobs damage stock, steal goods and assault staff.

Her store, in Crofton Road, was most recently targeted last Sunday at about 9.40pm when five youngsters pretended to look at the goods and ask questions while another teenager went behind the counter.

Mrs Lidhran's husband managed to get them out of the shop but one yob, who she says was mixed race and about 16-years-old, hit him several times.

The suspect is about 5ft 2in and was wearing light grey tracksuit bottoms and a dark hooded top.

Mrs Lidhran, 39, said: "It really has been getting out of hand.

"They keep us busy while they nick stuff and are the same children who are terrorising the whole neighbourhood. It is a crimewave."

Shop assistant Udaya Kumar was at work in Dillons One Stop shop on October 26 when he was punched in the face.

The father-of-two spent four hours in hospital and needed five stitches in his lip after the attack at the store in Princes Parade at about 8pm.

He was attacked by a white boy, who he says was about 5ft 3in, after he told a gang only two teenagers were allowed in the shop at one time.

The suspect is aged between 12 and 14.

He has short brown hair and was wearing a white t-shirt and black jeans.

Mr Kumar said: "There was quite a lot of blood and now I have problems eating.

"I am on sick leave and I am worried about going back to work."

Anyone with information about the Premier Wine attack should call investigating officer PC John Morris on 01689 891212.

People with information about the Dillons incident should call PC Ed Morris on the same number.