POLICE have hit out at 'unacceptable' children and teenagers who have been committing criminal damage and intimidating customers at a fast food restaurant.

The incident, which happened on Saturday night saw a group of up to 20 youngsters in Accrington town centre throwing missiles at moving cars, climbing on scaffolding and intimidating customers at the McDonald's in Hyndburn Road.

Officers said they have been seeing a rise in anti-social behaviour in the town centre, with the latest incident committed by yobs as young as 11.

Police said they have already talked to a number of teenagers and their parents over the incidents and will be visiting schools in the area.

Neighbourhood police have now consulted with senior officers about the possibility of applying for dispersal orders, which would mean large groups of people would not be able to congregate in certain areas at certain times.

PC Anna Gavela, who is the Accrington town centre community beat manager, said: "From 7 pm onwards police were made aware of several incidents involving a group of up to 20 young people in Accrington town centre.

"The youths were seen throwing missiles at passing vehicles, climbing on scaffolding, pushing bins over and intimidating customers at McDonald's on Hyndburn Road.

"This kind of behaviour is clearly unacceptable and we are advising parents that they should be aware of where their children are and what they are doing. Some of these youths were as young as 11 and arguably should not be in the town unsupervised at night time.

"Police and PCSOs managed to obtain the names of some of the youths and will be speaking to their parents and schools about their conduct.

"There have been increasing levels of anti-social behaviour in Accrington recently, and senior officers have also been consulted with a view to requesting dispersal orders to help tackle the problem. These have been used to good effect in towns such as Blackpool and they give the police the power to request that people leave a particular area, and to arrest them if they fail to do so. Youths and their parents could find themselves taken to court if the anti-social behaviour continues."

Anyone with information can call police on 101.