TEENY vandals face court if they are caught on a wrecking spree around a Lancaster park.

City council bosses and police say they are sick to the teeth of vandalism' which costs taxpayers money to put right.

So now, Lancaster City Council's chief leisure officer David Owen says any kids who are caught smashing swings or damaging buildings will definitely face charges.

"It's mindless and wanton vandalism. The people who are doing this are wrecking the area for the people who should benefit," Mr Owen says.

"There has been a spate of instances of damage all over the area but now it seems to have almost settled to one area around the Palatine Avenue recreation ground.

"The latest incident involved guttering being ripped down and it costs money and time to put things right.

"But it's money that doesn't need spending and we have a real issue with this. Now we will be working with the police and other authorities to stamp this out.

"We want people to get the message that we will prosecute if we catch people in the act."

Community beat manager PC Pete McHugh says the police will back up the council if it wants to take the vandals to court but insists the problems at Palatine Road are no worse than in other areas.

"I think parents need to have a good look and think where their children are at night," says PC McHugh.

"Problems are not limited to that area and I think more of a problem surrounds what can be perceived as intimidation from big groups of teenagers, often trying to buy alcohol.

"People naturally assume that a group of teenagers will cause trouble but that's not always the case. Teenagers often gather in the park and cause no harm.

"But if we catch them drinking that's a different story because the park is a no drinking' zone and we can take action.

"We do want to clamp down on this type of anti-social behaviour and if people can tell us who is causing problems we can do something about it."

To help police, call 01524-63333.