The situation has left community leaders in Bentley fuming - and calling for more police patrols on the streets to stop the yobs.

The Yorkshire Water workman had gone to Alexander Street in the village to suck up sewage using a specially-designed lorry while a pump was repaired. But he had to down-tools and flee after being bombarded with abuse from youths.

In the Askern Road area, residents were left worried for their health because of sewage.

Other parts of the village suffered some flooding. At Bentley Working Men's Club, rain led to flooding in the cellar, and water was pumped out by firefighters.

A Yorkshire Water spokes-man confirmed a workman had visited Alexander Street, Bentley, in a tanker to remove excess sewage.

"Unfortunately, due to harassment from local youths, the tanker driver had to suspend the tanker service for his own safety," he said.

"Work continued on the pump and repairs were completed."

Bentley Tenants' and Residents' Association chairman Tim Knowles is furious the work had to be stopped because of yobs.

He said: "The Government should do something radical to stop this sort of hooligan.

"Someone should be out patrolling to stop this sort of thing. We've been saying that until we're blue in the face."

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