TEENAGE yobs have been breaking on to a school’s artificial sports pitch, vandalising it, starting fires, drinking alcohol and harassing a local farmer.

Police now say the late-night behaviour at Darwen Vale High School will not be tolerated and have urged residents to tell them when problems occur.

The youths, who have also camped on school grounds, have been trespassing on a farmer’s land to access the pitch and verbally abused him when challenged.

The farmer, who did not wish to be named, said: “Boys just used to come up to play football, which we didn’t mind but now you have gangs of between 50 and 60 boys and girls.

“They must be 14 or 15 years old.

“They have been up all hours of the night drinking and what not.

“If you say anything all you get is abuse and ‘what’s it got to do with you?’.”

The farmer said youths have tried to intimidate him by banging on his windows late at night, playing loud music into the early hours and littering.

Sergeant Dave Sherrington, from Darwen Police, confirmed officers had been called to a number of incidents at the site.

A spokeswoman for Darwen Police added: “Youths are breaking into the closed school and damaging the artificial pitch.

“Other damage has been caused by lighting fires or smashing lighting.

“This is an excellent facility that’s used by the school and the public that is being recklessly damaged.

“They enter the grounds by walking through a nearby farm; distressing the occupants and livestock.

“There is no public access through the farm.

“The school is looking into preventative measures and we have asked residents to be vigilant and inform us when groups are gathering in that area .”

Darwen Vale principal Fiona Jack said: “A large number of community clubs and groups use our facilities seven-days-a-week as well as the school, but the actions of a few is causing damage which affects everyone.”

Mrs Jack said she was concerned about the safety of anyone trespassing on the site, especially those starting fires or camping, and urged parents and residents to work with the police to eradicate the anti-social behaviour.

Anyone with information can contact Darwen Police via 101.