A MAN who is looking after his brother's house has claimed it is being used as a drugs den by youths and is a target for vandals.

And Dr Nasir Ahmed called on the police to do more to protect his property.

Dr Ahmed, who teaches maths and English at Haslingden High School, is looking after the house in New Bank Road, Blackburn, for his brother Jamal Khan, who lives in Saudi Arabia.

Dr Ahmed said his brother was hoping to rent out the property but the constant attacks were making this impossible.

He said evidence of drug use was littering the back garden and stolen goods had also been stored there.

Youths had also been in the empty house, he claimed.

Dr Ahmed said: "Windows have been smashed a number of times and there are gas canisters lying around the yard as if they have been inhaling gas. I have also seen foil."

After a bedroom window was smashed Dr Ahmed, who checks his brother's house every day, said he called the police but was told there was nothing they could do.

He said: "These youths are a nuisance. My brother wants to sell the house but this is not helping and the police are just given them the freedom.

"They have told me I should be sitting there to catch them in the act, when they should be doing something."

A police spokesman said: "We have received reports of vandalism and damage at that address.

"The area beat officer is currently looking into the problem there in view to resolving it."