Residents in Cullingworth are calling on police to stop skateboarders vandalising the village war monument.

Young skateboarders have been accused of removing pieces of stone from the war memorial in the centre of the village, and using them as ramps. Residents are concerned not only by the damage it does to the monument, but also by the fact that the valuable stone could be stolen from around the base.

According to Cullingworth parish chairman, John Brigg, the vandalism has been taking place for the last two year. Speaking at the parish meeting, Mr Brigg said: "The continual damage to the war memorial creates so much bad feeling and antagonises people in the village against the youngsters."

There have also been complaints about skateboarders from staff at the medical centre in Mill Street.

Insp David Drucquer, of Keighley Police, assured councillors the situation would receive attention from officers.

They say boards used as ramps are still occasionally being left behind on the car park, which they have to pick up in the morning.

Inspector Drucquer said: 'Many of the kids up here are of a reasonable nature when we have talked to them in the past, so we will continue to keep tabs on the situation.'

Staff at the medical centre have also complained about the disturbance caused to doctors by the noise of the skateboarders on the car park.

And they have had to contend with the problem of candle wax left by the boarders on the pavement outside the centre.

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