PRESTON Borough Council could soon take out injunctions against vandals to keep them off council facilities, as damage reaches record levels.

The move was suggested by police, as vandalism in Smiths Recreation Ground has taken a new - and potentially lethal - twist. The wreckers have switched their attentions from playing football on the bowling green and uprooting shrubs and damaging fencing to tampering with lighting, to expose electrical cables.

Ward councillor Ken Cole believes that the three recent attacks on lighting are the start of a new craze.

The vandals have climbed street lights, unbolted panels and caused the lights to snap, baring electrical cables and bulbs.

On one occasion a lamp was left uncovered so that it would collect water around its bulb.

Coun Cole said: "We all know what happens when water and electricity mix. As the panels are removed electrical wires are exposed.

"This is a very dangerous game. It could kill."

This year more than £60,000 has been spent on repairing vandalism in Smiths Recreation Ground. Coun Cole believes the vandals are now leaving the bowling green alone now that trees have been removed.

Norman Rieper, Preston's sports and recreation manager said: "The police have asked us if we'd be willing to take out injunctions against known offenders, to give them greater powers of arrest, because if they don't catch vandals in the act it's very hard to prosecute them.

"If someone with an injunction against them is found in the area, action can be taken." Mr Rieper has also asked the county council if facilities could be set up on Oxford Street playing fields.

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