Parents terrified for the safety of their children have banned their kids from going out at night because of gangs of teenagers ruling the town.
Last weekend youths caused havoc to the cinema in Skelmersdale, Lancashire, in Concourse Shopping Centre where they stuffed toilet rolls into sinks and left the taps running.
The incident is the latest bout of antisocial behaviour caused by youngsters, with residents fearing the “feral gangs” could ruin their lives.
As a result of the rampaging youngsters mums are not allowing their kids out at night, Lancs Live reported.
One parent said: “ “It can get bad in here - they go up and they run through, there are around eight of them sometimes. Mostly teenagers.
“I know there’s nothing for them to do. But there’s always gangs all the way down, everywhere. I have got a granddaughter - I wouldn’t let her out as you’ve got to watch them now. It’s a shame but that’s the way it is.”
Sam Lavington, the owner of Capital Cinema in the town, has threatened to close it if they do not receive more help from police.
He added: “I’ve worked the length and breadth of Britain and it’s the first time I’ve ever had to bar the whole town of kids from coming into the cinema. We don’t allow children in on their own without an adult because they’ve done nothing but destroy the place.
"They go into the toilets, leaving the taps on, they stuff toilet rolls down the urinals; they’re just feral these days, I don’t know what’s the matter.
“We feel very vulnerable, when they come in en masse - it’s very frightening to be at work at night, and we’re not doing much business. It’s very good in the day but at night, people won’t come out because they’re frightened of the kids.
"Good old fashioned authority is the answer - do something with them like lock them up for the night.
On a Friday night, it’s just gang related - there’s a youth club outside and they’re never inside it, they’re wandering around like feral cats, gangs of them, around 30 at a time. Throughout the country we need PCSOs, we certainly need one in the town centre.
“I don’t want to move out, it’s a growing business, it’s very popular and it’s breaking even even in bad weeks. But if I don’t threaten to do something nothing will happen.”
“I absolutely adore this little cinema - it’s beautiful but we have done a really good job and were popular and cheap at six pounds a ticket.”
However, in response, both Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden and Lancashire Constabulary insisted that anti-social behaviour is a top priority, with the commissioner describing it as a "blight on communities".
He said: “Getting tough on anti-social behaviour in all its forms is a top priority in my Fighting Crime Plan and is supported by hundreds of additional new police officers currently being recruited as part of the national Government uplift programme.
“The constabulary is also in the process of setting up a dedicated anti-social behaviour problem solving command team, funded through my Office.
"I'm thankful for the correspondence from Cllr Furey and his acceptance that anti-social behaviour isn't an issue that can be solved by policing alone.
“We must work together to address what are often complex issues and I give my full support to West Lancashire Community Safety Partnership who play a key role, working closely with Lancashire Constabulary and other local stakeholders, as part of our problem solving approach to ASB.
"Through my Safer Lancashire Neighbourhood Fund I've also supported projects and initiatives to help prevent ASB in West Lancashire, as I listen and take action to address residents' issues and concerns."
