A CRACKDOWN has been launched on vandals who have been trashing bus shelters in Colne.

Police have called on the public to take photographs of the culprits in action and said the criminal damage had been happening on a weekly basis for a number of months.

Vandals have targeted shelters in Albert Road and Birtwistle Avenue and their actions have been branded ‘unacceptable’.

Police say they believe teenagers may be responsible for the damage but have issued no descriptions. No arrests have been made.

Pendle Borough Council currently has responsibility for bus shelters, but that will be transferred to Colne Town Council as of April 1.

And town council chairman Cllr Sarah Cockburn-Price said the actions of the vandals could have serious consequences for all residents in the area.

Mrs Cockburn-Price said: “As a town council we don’t have that much money. I think it costs £150 to replace the glass panes each time, which is a lot of money for us.

“I don’t know what the ramifications of this will be from next month. Will we have to cancel paying for a new slide in a children’s park or will we be unable to pay for the Christmas lights? Or do we just give up and not pay for the glass to be replaced? I just don’t know what these people are getting out of it. It’s awful.”

Sgt Kim De Curtis said: “This has been going on for a good few months. There’s always at least one a week. It’s costing money and people are miffed. It’s unacceptable and we are taking it very seriously.

“If anyone sees it happening then I would urge them to call 999 and we will respond to it. If they have time to get a photograph of the person in the act, and it’s safe to do so, then I would urge them to do that. Otherwise if you can get as good a description as possible then that would be extremely helpful.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101.