A GANG of white youths hurled racist abuse at a group of Asian men while threatening them with a chainsaw.

One of them, a girl, held the chainsaw, which was not switched on at the time, inches away from one of the victims before walking away with the rest of the gang members, who were laughing as they went.

Police have launched an investigation into last night’s incident in Bolton, which they say was “racially motivated”.

Several witnesses made complaints to the police, who used CCTV footage taken from the scene in a bid to find the culprits.

Police later arrested four people, three men, aged 22, 23 and 26, and a 17-year-old girl on suspicion of affray.

They remained in custody and were being quizzed by detectives investigating the incident.

A spokeswoman for Greater Manchester Police said the incident started just after 7.50pm yesterday when they received a report of a girl and two men running down Haydock Street with a chainsaw.

Minutes later, the gang with the chainsaw confronted the group of Asian men, who were standing on Prince Street.

“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,” added the spokeswoman.

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

“Several witnesses had reported this incident to police, and officers were able to trace the three offenders’ movements using CCTV from the area.”