RESIDENTS are being urged to "shop" the vandals who went on a wrecking spree in a Bolton village.

The teenagers have brought misery and heartbreak to residents in Edgworth causing damage estimated at many thousands of pounds.

Police are now urging residents -- who they believe are turning a blind eye to the trouble -- to report the youths they believe to be responsible.

Over recent weeks the windows of the village hall -- the Barlow Institute -- have been smashed, the cricket club changing rooms set alight and the football pitch wrecked. The majority of the vandalism is centred on Bolton Road and has also included the village's notice board being wrecked and the windows of homes broken or cracked.

Police chiefs are now calling on local residents to help play more of a part in fighting back.

PC Jim Wood, told a meeting of North Turton Parish Council: "People just seem to draw their curtains and block out what is happening outside.

"If these people could take registration numbers of the cars of the people causing the trouble, it would help.

"We believe a mixture of village children and children from outside are responsible for the vandalism. Two windows have been broken and a third cracked. Even the window boards have been ripped off, as well as the notice board."

PC Wood said the residents need to complain.

He said: "I'm told these youngsters are even bringing drugs into the community. By the time we get to them, they run away and just leave all their rubbish."

David Holden, chairman of the parish council, said he was alarmed by the crimewave.

He added: "There is so much litter on the football pitch and one of the nets has been ripped to pieces. It alarms me and it is frightening."