Officers in Accrington said they are working with young people following complaints of anti-social behaviour in the town centre and retail parks.

Police said they had received a high volume of calls over youths causing problems in the town centre, the bus station and the viaduct retail park area.

A Lancashire Police spokesperson said: “These incidents have ranged from youths targeting homeless people, assaulting police officers, abusing retail staff, abusing transport staff and criminal damage.

“Investigations into some of these incidents are being dealt with accordingly.

“There is a mixture of boys and girls roughly 40 strong hanging around the town centre at any one time.

“We urge parents to be aware of where their children are and for parents to encourage them not to meet in large groups in the town centre.

“We are currently in the process of identifying the youths in question in an attempt to safeguard them and inform their parents.”

Police said as part of Operation Centurion they have four officers on foot patrol for eight hours during the evening on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday every week.