ONE of Otley's biggest employers would consider cutting its ties with the town because of repeated vandalism, it was claimed this week.

Specialist paper makers Garnett's says summer spells disaster for the company as gangs of youths target the riverside mill in daily attacks.

Stones are thrown at the windows and the premises are broken into overnight with fire extinguishers set off and valuable machinery damaged.

Young people and children also climb onto the factory's weir and have even lit a fire there - just feet from the paper mill.

In the latest attack last Wednesday, one of the hottest days of the year, two windows were broken by swimmers clinging to the mill's weir.

Cliff Barry, Garnett's vice chairman, said he was frustrated with the apparent lack of help from the police.

"Otley needs a permanent presence of police to stop this sort of anti-social behaviour. We've talked to the police and all they say is they can't do anything."

"This always happens during the school holidays and its costing us hundreds of pounds in damage. It is not right that we have to put up with it without fail year after year," he said.

Last summer, when the company was closed for its annual maintenance, the premises were broken into.

"They let off fire extinguishers and damaged equipment, they didn't know what they were doing, it could have cost us £20,000 to replace equipment."

He added people climbing onto the weir was also a constant worry.

"One day there will be an accident on the weir and then everyone in the town will blame us for not doing anything, but this has been a cult in the town for decades, its something that kids have always done. If we say anything to them all we get is verbal abuse.

"We can put signs up telling people not to do it but it won't stop them and it won't protect us if there is an accident."

Mr Barry added if the company was not so tied in with the town it would seriously consider moving to a more secure site.

"We have 167 people working in this mill and we put £4 million into the town - that would be a lot to lose if we were to pull out.

"We've been here for 265 years and we're integrated into the place, but if we were able to up sticks and move we would go to a site much more suitable for us."

Councillor Clive Fox, chairman of the Otley and Wharfedale Community Involvement Team (CIT) said he had instructed the Parks Watch Service to keep an eye on the area.

"In the past week, people have contacted me about two separate green areas in Otley and Bramhope where they have concerns about the activities of groups of teenagers.

"The motorbike patrols will be monitoring both areas to eliminate any problems. Where youngsters are not much more than a nuisance the patrols will initially talk to them and encourage them to modify their behaviour.

"However, where vandalism or any criminal or anti-social activity is involved the patrols are in radio contact with the police and they will call back-up support as necessary."

Coun Fox added there had been complaints about children swimming in the river at Wharfemeadows Park.

"Although in warm weather swimming there will always be a great temptation, the dangers to our children cannot be overstated. The Wharfe is notorious in many parts particularly for its under currents. It has claimed many victims over the years and I would urge parents to take an interest in what their children are getting up to."

l West Yorkshire Police were unavailable for comment.