POLICE In Leyland are to prosecute summer holiday vandals who cause thousands of pounds worth of damage to local schools.

Almost every school in the town has suffered at the hands of mindless vandals during the long summer break.

But for the first time headteachers have given their permission for anyone caught on their property to be prosecuted by the police.

The new strategy - codenamed Operation Cane - should, it is hoped, save thousands of pounds in repairs.

Inspector Marc Vincent, of Leyland Police, said: "Vandalism is always a problem at schools over the summer holiday but in there has been a different policy on what constitutes trespassing.

"Some schools have been happy to let children play in their grounds but others don't want anyone on there at all. However this year they have agreed that no-one should be on their property and anyone who is caught in the grounds unlawfully will be prosecuted under the Education Act 1996."

Insp Vincent said only a small minority of youngsters were responsible for the damage, but added: "We would warn all children to stay away from schools because we don't want innocent youngsters to be blamed for other people's damage.

"It is time we raised awareness of this problem so it can stop because it is unacceptable."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.