A TOP cop today hit out at yobs wrecking Burnley after vandals left a trail of destruction across the town in just one week.

Chief Inspector Chris Bithell warned the thugs they faced jail if caught after police recorded more than 100 incidents of criminal damage over the past week -- 30 of which took place at the weekend.

Chief Inspector Bithell vowed to bring to justice any yobs found causing misery in the community.

And a former mayor called for magistrates and parents to take tougher lines with teen criminals.

Over the last week schools, cars, homes and businesses in Burnley have been targeted by vandals.

Police said the criminal damage was being committed by different gangs of youths as well as individuals across the town.

Some of the worst damage included smashed wing mirrors on cars, broken car windscreens, stones thrown at cars and graffiti in the Harle Syke area, all at the weekend.

Police said criminal damage across Burnley and Padiham had been getting steadily worse since October - culminating in last week's shock figures.

Chief Inspector Bithell said: "The people responsible for these acts of mindless vandalism simply don't realise the impact they are having and the damage they are causing, not just to property but to their own local communities. It's time they sat up and listened and we intend to make them do just that by hitting them hard in the pocket and where appropriate, putting them before the courts.

"Criminal damage is not a minor offence - it has far reaching effects on public safety and reassurance."

But he added: "Along with our community safety partners, we've made terrific inroads in terms of reducing crime and making local communities safer.

"Both vehicle crime and burglary, traditionally viewed as very serious offences, have reduced significantly with us recording some of the lowest crime levels on record.

"However, quite often it's lesser offences that cause fear in local communities. Broken windows, damaged fences and graffiti instill fear in people - they make local residents question their security and worry about their safety."

Police have vowed to slap offenders with Fixed Penalty Notices and fines and in more serious cases bring them before the courts -- the average penalty for criminal damage ranges from three month's imprisonment to up to 10 years on indictment. However, if someone is killed or seriously injured as a result of stone throwing or arson, for example, then ultimately the offenders could face manslaughter charges and a life-long prison sentence.

Jai Cutting Crew in Hammerton Street was one of the businesses to suffer from the recent spate of vandalism. The shop's Lisa Haworth arrived yesterday morning to find the devastation.

She said: "The owner is on holiday at the moment so I turned up first thing to find the window shattered. It's very frustrating. We have been here for four years and not had this happen before, we are just hoping it won't happen again. We are directly across from Lava and Ignite which is heavily covered by CCTV so we are hoping the people responsible for this will be caught."

Coun Gordon Birtwistle, leader of Burnley's Lib Dem party and former mayor, said: "I am horrified by this news. There seems to be a small section of the community determined to run this town down.

"It's very sad that this has happened as it's destroying people's efforts to improve the lives of people living and working in this town. It's up to the magistrates to hand out sufficient sentences and not to pussy foot around and parents need to take responsibility.

"As somebody with two kids I know my children wouldn't do something like this as do 99.9 per cent of the rest of Burnley's parents because it's up to them to ensure their children aren't behaving badly."

In addition to warning offenders, Ch Insp Bithell also hit out at people "pocketing" from bogus criminal damage claims.

He said: "Every report of criminal damage is thoroughly investigated and while the vast majority of them are bone fide, we have some evidence to suggest that a small proportion aren't. Anyone making bogus claims also faces police charges.

"While following up bogus claims, this takes us away from genuine jobs and solving real crimes for the good of the local community."

Anyone with any information about criminal damage offenders, can contact Crimestoppers free and in confidence on 0800 555 111.