POLICE have launched a second investigation into youths targeting hospital staff in East Lancashire.

Neighbourhood officers in the Queensgate area of Burnley, have launched a crackdown after complaints about young people at the general hospital in Casterton Avenue.

The investigation comes after the Lancashire Telegraph revealed that staff cars had been vandalised at the Royal Blackburn Hospital car park.

Several medics were left with repair bills totalling hundreds of pounds after a wrecking spree, believed to have been carried out by Shadsworth youngsters.

Burnley General is East Lancashire’s centre for planned operations, while the Royal Blackburn Hospital is the emergency centre for people from across the area.

Commenting on the latest incidents, a police spokesman said: “Youths are entering the hospital and causing disruption to members of staff by being verbally abusive and generally causing a nuisance.”

Private security staff are on hand at the hospital and the courts are known to severely punish anyone convicted of intimidating or harrassing NHS staff.

Hospital bosses say they are working with the police to catch the two teenage boys who damaged 15 staff cars.

The youths caused £4,000 worth of damage to wing mirrors at Royal Blackburn Hospital and Shadsworth Leisure Centre on Thursday, April 28.

Jonathan Wood, director of finance and estates for East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “The vandalism was captured on CCTV and the footage has been passed to the police.

“The trust operates a network of CCTV cameras for detecting security issues and investigation of security incidents.

“Our security teams also undertake regular patrols around all sites.

"Incidents like this are very rare at East Lancashire Hospitals, and we are working with the police to identify those responsible.”