Police have pledged to clamp down on a gang of youths who are intimidating pensioners outside a Bradford Community Centre.

Gangs of up to 25 youths have been congregating outside Springdale Community Centre, in Springdale Crescent, Thorpe Edge, every night for the last six months.

They have threatened the centre's users and vandalising the building, according to local beat manager PC Gary Vincent.

Smashed windows have had to be boarded up at the centre and graffiti has been daubed on the building's walls.

Now PC Vincent says the police will be taking a hard line with the troublemakers.

He said: "It's getting to the point where people are frightened to use the centre because they are being intimidated by this group of youths.

"We've got youths up there seven nights a week now and it has just got to stop. Apparently it's been going on for about six months.

"We've been up there to talk to them and taken some of them home to their parents - but we can't be up there all the time.

"Sometimes they run away when we approach and sometimes they stay and give us lip.

"It's a group of about 20 to 25 youths aged between 12 and 16 who are causing the trouble and we want them to know that we're going to start clamping down if they keep causing trouble.

"I want the parents of these kids to realise what they are up to and stop them doing it."

PC Vincent said the youths have intimidated people going into the building by shouting and swearing and have exposed themselves to groups of pensioners who use the centre.

He added that one man had been recently arrested for alleged burglary at the Springdale Centre as part of the clampdown.

A spokesman for the Springdale Community Centre, said: "We appreciate the concern of local residents about the vandalism and welcome the police response.

"We are currently looking at the possibility of organising some youth activities with Newlands Regeneration Scheme to encourage local young people to use their time more positively."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.