POLICE will step up patrols around a Leigh mill after yobs pushed over a seven foot high boundary fence.

The incident on Monday night was the latest in a spate of vandalism to hit the Welch Hill Mill units, rebuilt following a disastrous fire last year.

Owner Brian Derbyshire arrived on site on Tuesday to find 60ft of the temporary wire fencing, secured in concrete blocks on the canal bank, had been bent and pushed over into the yard.

It is the second time in two months it has been damaged.

He said: "The fence was put up while the water board carried out improvement work on the canal bank.

"On the first occasion it was pushed into the water, so it was repaired and moved to the edge to prevent people walking along.

"We can do without these incidents. We are doing our best to make the mill look attractive, but recently four windows were broken and the front of the building has been dented all over by golf balls.

"Teenagers congregate at the end of the street and of course the vandalism gets worse during the light nights and school holidays.

"Police have promised to increase patrols in the area."