A teenage girl held a chainsaw to a man's head in a terrifying racist attack.

The incident happened just after 7.50pm on Wednesday when police received a report of a girl and two men running along Haydock Street, in School Hill, Bolton, with a chainsaw.

Minutes later, a group of Asian men who were standing in nearby Prince Street were confronted by the three people.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "They shouted racist abuse at the Asian men before the girl, who was holding the chainsaw, threatened the group, shouting more abuse as she did so.

"She held the chainsaw inches from one of the victim's heads before walking away laughing with her associates."

The chainsaw was not switched on at the time, but the victims were very shaken, police said.

The spokesman said they were treating the incident as racially motivated.

Several witnesses reported what happened to the police and officers were able to trace the offenders' movements using CCTV from the area.

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: "You do get a bit of trouble around here but it's usually idiot kids mouthing off. You learn to ignore it unless it's right outside your door.

"This area is a dumping ground for idiots and we just have to put up with them."

Another resident added: "Someone was stabbed round here quite recently so it doesn't surprise me. But I didn't hear anything like that going on last night."

l Three men aged 23, 22 and 26, and a 17-year-old girl were arrested on suspicion of affray in nearby Sefton Court a short time after the incident.

The 26-year-old man was released without charge. The other three were released on bail until Thursday, June 5.

By Paul Keaveny

6:09pm Friday 9th May 2008

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