RESIDENTS complaining about teenage tearaways in Whalley have been told by police: "It could be worse, you could live in Blackburn."

Officers in the Ribble Valley village have asked residents to keep some anti-social behaviour in perspective following a resent spate of teenage nuisance in the Church Lane area.

But some residents have reacted with anger at the police attitude.

Police stress that, while many of the complaints they receive are valid and a genuine call for concern, some residents need to be more tolerant of the village's youngsters.

The appeal follows a recent spate of vandalism where bins have been set alight, plant pots have been kicked over and garden furniture damaged.

Residents have also made a number of complaints about youths hanging around in groups of up 20 in Church Lane.

Whalley's police community support officer Jason Taylor said: "We are not saying that sometimes there is a problem with juvenile nuisance in Whalley.

"All we're asking is for residents to keep it in perspective. What's happening here is nothing compared to what goes on in Blackburn for instance.

"I appreciate it can look worse in Whalley because kids only have one or two places to hang out.

"So they tend to congregate in larger groups than they might elsewhere.

"I would ask people to be more understanding towards their behaviour before they pick up the phone.

"Also, people need to take a more active role in looking after their own community. For instance, parents need to know where their 14-year-old children are at 10 at night.

"That said, the problems around Church Lane seem to have escalated in recent weeks, so we would ask people to inform us about incidents as soon as they can.

"Often we get people telling us things in passing, but it helps if we know as soon as possible."

One annoyed resident, who asked not to be named, said: "Saying this isn't Blackburn isn't the point.

"People live in rural areas for a reason, and that is for peace and quiet."

Anyone wishing to contact Whalley police can phone 0845 1253545, which will connect them to divisional headquarters in Blackburn, who can then contact Whalley-based officers.