GANGS of youths are once more out roaming the streets of Guiseley and leaving a wake of destruction behind them.

The latest victim of the gangs, which can number 50 and upwards, was Guiseley Infant School.

Over the weekend, broken bottles, empty beer and lager cans were left strewn around the playground and branches on a rowan tree, planted by members of Aireborough Rotary Club, were broken.

For many years Guiseley has suffered with gangs of young people roaming the streets and no-one seems to know what to do about it.

The police have put out additional patrols and have been into the local schools to talk to young people about the dangers of under age drinking.

When their behaviour has warranted it, some young people have been arrested and dealt with through official channels.

Letters have been sent to the youngsters' parents when they have been caught with alcohol and a very successful youth project was set up five years ago after a previous bout of damage caused by gangs roaming the Tranmere Park and Tranfield estates.

Most of the young people the police stop and talk to come from Guiseley. Officers believe many of their parents do not know exactly what their children are up to.

Perhaps it is time parents started to make sure they know where their children are on an evening and at weekends.

It is not enough to say 'my child would not do things like that'. It appears that parents do not appreciate the pressures put on individuals when they are in a gang.

And, even if the young people do not set out with the intention to cause damage, quite often the fact that there can be around 50 of them, can make people of any age feel threatened.

What is needed is a concerted effort from the police, youth workers and parents to find out why these 12 to 18-year-olds feel the need to wander the streets - especially in a town where there is both a youth centre and a leisure centre.

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