POLICE in Great Harwood are to launch a crackdown on criminal damage.

Officers say the number of incidents reported to them is increasing with a particular problem being car wing mirrors ripped off vehicles

Residents in Great Harwood, Rishton and Clayton-le-Moors are being given tips on how to reduce the likelihood of having their cars or houses damaged.

PC Helen Jackson, community beat manager for Great Harwood, said: "It isn't a small offence. People's opinion of criminal damage is that it's just a nuisance. But it's getting to the point where it's more than a nuisance and people do get upset about it.

"Officers take it very seriously. We can deal with it by a fixed penalty or they get locked up and taken to court. We will happily respond to reports of damage."

Residents are being asked to fold in their car wing mirrors at night, and also to remove anything from the outside of their house which might be used as a missile.

Officers will now begin a leaflet campaign, along visits to schools and more patrols.