THUGS threw a brick through the window of MP Janet Anderson's Darwen home.

It is the third act of vandalism at her Sunnyhurst house and she now wants police to increase efforts to tackle gangs of young vandals roaming the area. Previously Mrs Anderson has had her fence pulled down and graffiti daubed over her garage.

She said: "It is not just me, it is a real problem in Sunnyhurst and across Darwen.

"There seems to be gangs of youths roaming around just pointlessly vandalising property.

"We need to do something to tackle this. I want to see a greater use of anti-social behaviour laws including parenting orders and on-the-spot fines.

"I know the police are very concerned about this and trying to see what they can do and one of the local inspectors has been looking at the issue. But I believe more needs to be done. It can't be allowed to go on."

Insp Andrea Bradbury, in charge of policing in Darwen, said four bricks had been thrown through windows of homes in the area.

But she added: "We have had a small problem in that area, but across Darwen we have made huge reductions.

"Crime is down 17 per cent, the biggest reduction across Lancashire, and criminal damage has fallen 20 per cent.

"So far this year we have had 200 offences fewer than last year of criminal damage and we have done this through anti-social behaviour orders and good-behaviour contracts."

Anyone with information on the vandalism should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or Darwen CID on 01254 353842.