The "only entertainment" in one town is under threat of closing due teenagers reportedly damaging the area.
Capitol Cinema, which is in The Concourse shopping centre in Skelmersdale, said on Saturday that the cinema suffered criminal damage allegedly carried out by teenagers aged between 12 and 14. Owners of the cinema said it is in "imminent danger" of closing in January.
It is understood that a number of "expensive" film posters were torn down. The owners said they "have had enough" and "cannot continue like this anymore".
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The owners also said they want "protection" from police and security at The Concourse. They said on Facebook: "Due to criminal damage to our cinema and this town being ruled by 12/14 year old thugs the cinema will be closed in January if we do not get protection from police or security.
"Sorry folks the only entertainment in this town is now in imminent danger of closing and read my lips THIS IS NOT AN IDLE THREAT I'm being told by family and all my children to retire forthwith.."
Earlier on in the month, a "large" group of teenagers attacked police officers. Officers patrolling Sandy Lane said they had missiles "launched" at them and their vehicles on November 2.
In recent months police have been called to "multiple" incidents of anti-social behaviour and in September a Section 34 Dispersal Order was put in place after officers at the Concourse Shopping Centre had projectiles thrown at their car causing damage to their vehicles.
In September, the new Tawd Valley play area was set on fire and was so badly damaged that it was "ruined for children and families to enjoy".
A spokesperson for Concourse Shopping Centre said: “Unfortunately, the anti-social behaviour and vandalism problems in Skelmersdale town centre as a whole have increased considerably over the past 12 months.
“We have voiced our concerns a number of times and our management team has met with Andrew Snowden, who is the Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner, local police inspectors and sergeants to ask for their support. We hope to arrange a further meeting with local councillors, representatives of schools, police and affected businesses.
“Our security officers do their best to deal with issues during the daytime with very limited powers, but we need more support from the police in Skelmersdale. Last Saturday, the local council held its Christmas switch-on event at the rear of the shopping centre, which resulted in lots of youths being present.
"We received information from Capitol Cinema about vandalism of its artwork there, while other problems with antisocial behaviour were also reported. We are working hard to attract exciting, new retailers into the Concourse and are also trying to create a vibrant night time economy in Skelmersdale, but growing antisocial behaviour and the apparent lack of local police presence is frustrating these efforts.
“The senior team met with a local councillor today about these ongoing issues and will continue to work closely with Lancashire Police to proactively tackle antisocial behaviour when it happens in the shopping centre.
"He added that the Concourse Shopping Centre operates an information-sharing initiative with Lancashire Police and has already issued banning orders this year to individuals who were identified as vandals or causing antisocial behaviour.
"Anyone with information about antisocial behaviour and vandalism should contact Skelmersdale Police or call 101."
A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: "We are working closely with our partners and businesses which have private security, including the Concourse Shopping Centre, to tackle the long-term problems of anti-social behaviour. We are doing this through a number of targeted operations and increasing patrols in hotspot areas.
"Our neighbourhood officers regularly hold PACT (Police and Communities Together) meetings and we regularly meet with partner agencies to address community priorities and decide what will be done to tackle these.
"We understand that ASB can have a profound impact on victims. We do not tolerate it, and we will continue to do what we can to mitigate it in the local area.
"Anybody experiencing problems with anti-social behaviour is urged to contact their neighbourhood policing team on 101, or 999 in an emergency."
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