A VANDALISM spree in a community is being blamed on parents -- for being conned into buying their children alcohol.

PC Michael Winward, community beat manager for Roe Lee, said that over the last few months telephone boxes, car wing mirrors, bus shelters, and shop windows had been smashed on Friday and Saturday nights, causing thousands of pounds of damage. Residents reported seeing drunken teenagers in the area when the vandalism was happening, leaving police concerned about where the youngsters were buying alcohol from.

Officers contacted Trading Standards and conducted a joint operation at test purchasing in local shops.

However they were puzzled to find that all the shop keepers were following the law and not serving to the under 18s.

But after further investigation they heard from from residents who reported seeing children choosing beer in the shops

for their parents to buy. PC Winward said: "The children are getting crafty. They are conning their parents. They are going to mum and dad and saying 'I am sleeping over at such and such a friends, can I have a few drinks?'.

"The parents are thinking it is better that their children drink in a controlled environment, rather than on the streets, so they buy it for them.

"However, there are about 10 kids, aged between 13 and 17, doing this and then pooling all they have got and drinking in places like Roe Lee Park.

"The vandalism seems to be occurring late on when they make their way home and we are being hammered with damage, running into thousands of pounds."

PC Winward said he would be organising extra police patrols in the hot spot areas over the next few weeks in a bid to stamp out the problem.

But he added: "Parents should make sure their children are going where they say."

Coun David Pearson, who represents Roe Lee, said residents had reported problems of teenagers drinking in Roe Lee Park for months.

He added: "We had been trying to find out where they had got their alcohol. I think it is appalling that the parents are buying it for them.

"I can see their point of view but they have to be responsible. I sympathise with the shops, they are helpless if parents are buying the alcohol.

"Other kids are frightened of going into Roe Lee Park because they are being threatened with violence.

"I think a lot of the teenagers drinking come to the park from other areas, such as Little Harwood.

"The police say they are going to patrol it more and that will help."

Anyone with information about the incidents of vandalism should call PC Winward on 01254 353575.