AN ANGRY businessman has called for action to clamp down on anti-social behaviour at a new £1million office building development.

Yobs smashed the windows of Raja Afzal’s development off Wainwright Way in Blackburn on Sunday night.

Mr Afzal said thugs left syringes and broke into the former car components warehouse which he is turning into offices.

He said: “There have been problems for the past month or so.

“We have groups of people taking drugs and drinking and engaging in anti-social behaviour.

“A few days ago I discovered syringes inside the warehouse building, so people have broken in by smashing through the fencing.

“On Monday morning, we also discovered the windows and doors of the building had been smashed.”

Work to transform the building into 20 offices started about two months ago after Mr Afzal secured planning permission last year.

The development is expected to be completed in the coming months.

He said: “The police have been contacted about the smashed windows and I’ve asked the council for help but they can’t do anything.

“Wainwright Way is an area on the up, with Home Bargains proposing to move here, and things like this set it back, so I’d be worried that it may put businesses off from moving into the offices.

“I hope something can be done about this.”

A council spokesman said they were working with the police, landlords and businesses in the Wainwright Bridge area to address the anti-social behaviour concerns raised.

A police spokesman said: “We were called at 8.30pm on Sunday night to reports of criminal damage.

“The windows of a building on a site off St Peter Street had been broken and unknown youths left the area.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference number LC-20180429-1442.”