CHURCH members driven to despair by vandals have told of their desperation -- but police stress the problem will only be solved if the community finds things for young people to do.

Kate Low, warden of St Paul's Church, Barnfield Street, Accrington, said yobs have tried to set the church on fire three times over the past few months.

Since members of the church, including Mrs Low and the church vicar, Simon Mansfield, spoke of their problems at a police authority community meeting last week, police have agreed to meet members of the church and nearby residents to discuss the issue.

Mrs Low said: " It's really frightening to walk past these youths who are there from about 6pm to 11pm on most days of the week. They drink alcopops, wine, lager and anything they can get their hands on.

"One of the causes of these problems is the fact the New Era Youth Centre is not open at the weekends which means children don't have anywhere to go.

Rev Mansfield added: "Some of these children are vicious and their parents don't know where they are. They are holding communities to ransom. The police are in a difficult situation and its very hard for them. The kids know officers can't touch them and they get away with blue murder."

Councillor Jean Battle sits on the steering committee of the Crime and Disorder Partnership, which comprises councillors, police officers, Lancashire County Council and the probation service.

She said: "Ultimately, the parents need to take responsibility for their children and there seems to be a lot of excessive drinking on Accrington's streets"

Police chief superintendent John Thompson said: "The community must find something for young people do if we are to beat this. We know problems with juveniles have increased recently and we are looking at ways to tackle them."