A POLICE inspector has vowed to ‘bring the heat’ in a crackdown on antisocial behaviour after a community space was vandalised and littered with drug paraphernalia.

Inspector Jim Bailey of Barrow Police has warned youths that the police are coming for them after a community astroturf pitch was trashed in Bath Street on Monday.

The space is maintained by St James CofE Junior School and used by Brisbane Park Infant School, Hindpool Nursery and Hindpool Tigers during the summer.

Youths are believed to have broken into the pitch causing damage to the goal posts as well as leaving evidence of drug paraphernalia.

Inspector Bailey described the actions of all those involved as ‘pathetic and frustrating’.

“This shows a lack of regard for people and their facilities”, he said.

“It was mostly likely youths who have gone in, caused damage and left debris, which included leaving drug paraphernalia lying about.

“We have a list of names of youths causing problems in the Hindpool area and we will be targetting them.

“We will also speak to parents asking them: ‘do you know where your kids are?’

“We need to nip this in the bud and I have even spoken to one of those who are a high priority and I have said ‘you are my main target’.

“There are 15 youths on our list and I am going to target them.

“They are going to feel some heat from the cops.”

Inspector Bailey will be meeting with other members of the Pro Active Team today to discuss more ways to crackdown on youth antisocial behaviour in the Hindpool area.

Another police officer also highlighted that the amount of damage has ‘hindered’ use of the space for all who use it.

Angela Rawlinson, headteacher of St James C Of E Junior School said: “We have to have it locked as it has previously been set on fire.

“On Monday they caused damage but I was more concerned about the use of drug substances and drug paraphernalia - we even found a cannabis grinder.

“We had to do a thorough sweep of the area to make it safe for children to be on.

“This should be a lovely place for children to play.

“It is very upsetting and annoying that drug usage has taken place around an area used by small children.

“We want these people to stop - they are ruining things for the children of Hindpool.”

CCTV footage has been recovered and possible lines of investigation are currently being followed, however Barrow Police have urged more people to come forward if they witnessed anything from the incident.

Police have also released images from the scene showing how the goal posts were pulled apart as well as images of small plastics bags, likely used to carry drugs. Any witnesses of the incident have been asked to contact Cumbria Police on 101.