THE picturesque village of Addingham is suffering a wave of drug-fuelled anti-social behaviour that has left areas of the community devastated by vandalism, arson and graffiti.

Police have increased patrols in the village and are tackling a rising tide of drug use, reporting that one persistent teenage offender has been slapped with a Criminal Behaviour Order.

Addingham Parish Council says it believes the village is being deliberately targeted by young criminals who have left a trail of vandalism in their wake.

In the last three months the Pavilion toilets near the Multi-Use Games Area in the Memorial Hall Park have been flooded, set on fire, damaged and vandalised with graffiti.

The toilets had to be closed in April for extensive repairs, and now the Parish Council says that since they re-opened in May they are being constantly used for drug taking, with paraphernalia regularly left behind.

The nature reserve on Silsden Road was targeted in May when young thugs dragged a pile of wooden pallets there and set fire to them with petrol and dumped them in the beck.

And this week the Sugar Hill toilets on Main Street and on Bolton Road have both been vandalised with graffiti.

Parish Clerk Sallie Lloyd appealed for anyone who knows or sees anything about the anti-social behaviour to report it to the police.

She added: “Cleaning and clearing puts considerable pressure on Parish Council budgets, which has a direct impact on the rate-payers of Addingham.”

District Councillor Caroline Whittaker (Green, Craven) said: “I have been made aware by Addingham Parish Council of the repeated vandalism of the toilets and as a Ward Councillor I will do all that I can to support them to address this and any other anti-social behaviour. Public toilets are an important community asset and I know that Addingham residents are grateful to have them. It is incredibly sad and frustrating that a few selfish individuals are causing such a nuisance across the village.”

Sergeant Dave Purcell of Keighley Neighbourhood Policing team outlined the measures being taken to combat the rising crime-wave in Addingham.

He said: “We have a good working relationship with the Parish Council and are working with them to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in the Addingham area.

“Targeted neighbourhood policing patrols have been deployed in the area, which have had a positive impact.

“Action has been taken in relation to drug use in the area, and we have recently been successful in obtaining a Criminal Behaviour Order against a 15 year old male who has been causing issues in the village.

“We are working with our partners including the Early Help Team and Youth Justice Services to signpost young people on the right path.

“We know that graffiti is an issue, and we are building up an intelligence picture with a view to identifying the people responsible.

“We understand the impact anti-social behaviour has on the community, this behaviour on our streets will not be tolerated and we look to deal robustly with offenders.

“I would urge anyone with information to contact us or if anyone witnesses any suspicious activity or any offences in progress to contact us on 999.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Keighley NPT quoting reference 13220332598 by reporting it online via

www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat or via 101

Information can also be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111