Ring the police is appeal to Sabden villagers after wave of vandalism

Sabden villagers are being urged to report incidents of vandalism and damage to the police

An appeal for villagers to report incidents of vandalism and anti-social behaviour to the police has been made in a close-knit community.

Mr Tony Haworth, who is chairman of Sabden Parish Council, said that while residents were quick to warn each other about the recent spate of vandalism on social media it was essential that incidents were reported to the police so the problem could be tackled head on.

He said: "Social media is good for notifying other villagers to what is happening but it is imperative that these incidents are reported to the police also as they cannot deploy an officer until this happens."

Anti-social behaviour and vandalism has become a problem in the village over the last couple of months, according to Mr Haworth and the catalogue of incidents include:

* Damage to the notice board at Jubilee Bridge on two separate occasions.

* Flower-pots stolen and destroyed from outside homes.

* Branches ripped from trees in Pendle Street East.

* Goal-posts on Lower Holme damaged beyond repair.

* Youths urinating on gardens in Whalley Road.

* Incidents of graffiti on waste bins, the children's play area and the bus shelter at Whalley Road.

* Properties "egged" by vandals and also van tyres slashed.

There has also been several reports of damage to the village bowling green. Stones have been thrown onto it while a match is underway and dogs have been allowed to run across it and use it as a toilet.