A SKATEPARK built to occupy bored youngsters has become a target for vandals who repeatedly wreck the area.
Now it could soon be put out of bounds in the evenings.
Since it was installed about 18 months ago, residents have complained that youngsters are not looking after the facility in Town Hall Street, Great Harwood, and the police have been forced to take drastic action.
A local solicitor even claims that people are moving out of the area because they are fed up with anti-social behaviour.
A revolutionary device called a Mosquito which emits a high-pitched noise to deter under-25s could be introduced in the skatepark to ensure gangs of youths don't hang around there at night.
The surrounding stone walls are regularly damaged and one was knocked over on Monday evening, causing around £2,000 worth of damage.
A nearby derelict building has also been targeted by the thugs and the owner has had to make regular visits to board up the property.
Mike Slattery, who is a solicitor at Haworth and Nuttall, on Town Hall Street, said the yobs have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage at the offices by breaking windows and daubing racist graffiti on the shutters.
He added: "The company has been here for 100 years and there has never been trouble like we have had over the last 12 months. There doesn't seem to be anything that we can do about it; these young people are totally out of control.
"It's a bind coming into work each morning just wondering what we will find next. We are all sick and tired of it but we are just going to have to put up with it."
PC Ian Durber, Great Harwood community beat manager, said he suspects some of the users of the skatepark are actually responsible for the damage.
Sergeant Bob Eaton said an investigation was underway and reassured residents that steps were being taken to put an end to their misery.
A bid for a Mosquito machine has been registered with Hyndburn Council but is yet to be decided.
Anyone with information about who is responsible for the nuisance behaviour should contact Great Harwood Police on 353334 or Crimestoppers, free and anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
