PARENTS in Whittle Hall are growing anxious about an increase in vandalism and anti-social behaviour next to a popular outdoor play area.

Police are targeting the area, near Kingsdale Road, after councillors received a barrage of complaints about the increase in broken glass, discarded beer cans and loutish youth behaviour late at night.

Clr John Morris and Clr Les Street described the play area as 'appalling' and they fear that a young child could soon be seriously injured by shards of glass.

Clr Morris said: "It took several years to lobby English Partnerships to provide this excellent facility, which cost thousands of pounds and which many young children and parents have enjoyed.

"Comments have been made to me that unless something is done about this, then the facility should be removed. This would be extremely sad."

But Inspector Pete Turton, based at Sankey, criticised English Partnerships' lack of consultation when designing the play area without suitable lighting and situated close to bushes - calling it 'a haven for youths to gather'.

Police officers working on late shifts are to target Kingsdale Road and make the play area a high priority - and they recently arrested a youth there for possessing cannabis.

Insp Turton told the Guardian: "I can offer reassurance to the people of Whittle Hall that I have a personal interest in addressing this problem. I hope to meet with English Partnerships, parish councillors and agents at the borough council to find a solution.

"However, teenagers in Whittle Hall do deserve quality facilities and we mustn't view them all as a problem element. They are not all nuisances."