VANDALS are putting lives and jobs at risk with wrecking sprees, the owners of a Darwen firm warned today.

More than £8,000 worth of damage was caused at Horizon Foam Holdings Limited in Lloyd Street in the latest in a series of attacks.

Windows and doors were smashed, an office ransacked and a van driven into walls over the weekend.

Gill Baber runs the foam converting firm with her daughter Charlotte Taylor in a former Victorian mill. "This time they ransacked the place. It has got to stop," said Mrs Baber "You can't carry on running a business when this sort of thing keeps happening.

"We were working until 4pm on Saturday and think the vandals must have been in during the night. This latest attack has caused more than £8,000 worth of damage.

"We employ about 35 people and those responsible need to know what they are doing could cost jobs. The vandals have been driving round in vehicles and using machinery.

"Because we are in an old mill it wouldn't take much for one of them to seriously hurt or kill themselves."

The firm also has problems with youths climbing on to the roof.

Mrs Taylor added: "We urge people to keep a look out for anything suspicious and to ring the police on 01254 701777 if they see anybody messing about near the mill".

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