CONCERNS over youths hanging around one of Darwen’s main supermarkets to pick up free wi-fi have been raised by police and councillors.

Teenagers have been sitting outside the Asda store in School Street to surf the internet using the store’s open network.

But Cllr Roy Davies slammed Blackburn with Darwen Council and said Darwen teens were ‘forgotten about’ when Blackburn Youth Zone was built.

He is now calling for a free hub to be opened in Darwen for teens to be able to attend on a regular basis.

Cllr Davis said: “There’s nobody to blame here but the borough council.

“It’s okay for the kids in Blackburn, they have the big fancy facilities.

“The kids here in Darwen are forced to use the supermarket’s facilities and they certainly shouldn’t be forced to travel all the way to Blackburn.

“It’s obvious Darwen was forgotten about once again.”

Along with the groups gathering outside the store, the amount of litter on the street and noise has also become an issue, police said.

Sgt Dave Sherrington, of Darwen police, said: “It’s understandable that the kids want to hang around and pick up free internet instead of using their own data.

“But we’re starting to get complaints from shoppers and generally have to move them on.

“They aren’t particularly doing anything wrong but when there’s a few of them people can get intimidated.”

Back in 2010 Darwen Youth Centre in Knott Street received a £400,000 renovation to offer sessions for youngsters between the ages of eight to 19.

But because of cut backs and ‘staffing issues’ the centre reduced its opening hours.

Andy Bedlam, from Darwen Youth Centre, said: “Due to the cut backs we can’t offer as many hours as we used to be able to.”

An Asda spokesman said: “Asda is committed to supporting the local communities.

“We would be more than happy to talk to the police and local councillors if there is anything we can do to help.”