A SMALL group of youths who have caused trouble in Oxenhope have been issued with police warning letters, according to a Worth Valley police community support officer.

PCSO Tracy Metcalfe delivered the update to Oxenhope Parish Councillors as part of her monthly policing and crime report.

She said the letters had been sent to the youths' homes, adding that the police would continue to monitor the situation.

Her update followed a warning expressed by councillors in October that antisocial behaviour was again rearing its head in the village, with damage inflicted on the bus shelter in Lowertown and also on parts of the recreation ground.

PCSO Metcalfe said: "We have also had two instances of vehicles being interfered with, so we do ask that people make sure they lock their car doors in the evening."

Coun Reg Hindley asked whether the police had enjoyed any success in catching the thieves who have targeted Oxenhope Co-op this year. "It is getting beyond a joke now," he said. "It's the only decent food store in this part of the Worth Valley, so it is a matter of concern that it is being hit so frequently."

Coun Tony Maw pointed out: "This is part of a pattern. It's not just happening in Oxenhope, it's an issue in the Calder Valley too."

PCSO Metcalfe responded that she would look into the councillors' query.