FOUR youths have been charged following a sustained spell of antisocial behaviour in Mapplewell - and officers have vowed to crackdown on crime in the area.

Mindless yobs have been causing damage at Mapplewell Park in recent weeks, prompting residents and councillors to hit out against the incidents.

The damage at Mapplewell Bowling Club, situated in the park, involved two road signs from the kids’ cycle track being ripped out and thrown onto the bowling green.

Guttering at the bowling green was damaged together with an anti-climb paint sign.

Then, just days later, a fire was started at the site - and Coun Steve Hunt, who represents the ward, spoke with police about the damage.

And they acted swiftly, with four youngsters arrested and subsequently charged earlier this week.

Two teenagers aged 14, and two boys aged 12, have been interviewed and held to account for their actions after they caused damage to a local park, including a cycle track, signage and setting alight articles including bags of rubbish and an office chair.

The incidents started at the beginning of April, and were reported to the local neighbourhood policing team.

Officers from Barnsley North’s Neighbourhood Policing Team said that through extensive CCTV enquiries and working with the council and schools, the teenagers were brought to justice.

PC Willshaw, the officer in charge of the case, said: “These boys caused damage in excess of £500 to the children’s cycle path which were made unsafe and unusable.

“Antisocial behaviour has real negative effects on our communities, which is why we are dedicated to tackling these issues and ensuing those responsible face the consequences of their actions.”

The four boys, who can’t be named for legal reasons where handed community resolution orders and all have been ordered to complete community service and have been referred to the Youth Offenders team.

Over the latest 12-month period, officers from the policing team - which covers areas such as Mapplewell, Darton and Staincross - have dealt with a total of 592 antisocial behaviour incidents.

It is the second-highest reported crime across the whole policing ward, behind only violence and sexual offences.

Police in the area have promised to crackdown on those responsible.

Coun Hunt has praised the work of officers.

He told the Chronicle: “I would like to say a huge thank you to South Yorkshire Police and Barnsley Council officers for producing this result.

“When the incidents of antisocial behaviour and criminal damage first arose in April I immediately contacted those organisations to demand action.

“Also, thanks to residents who came forward to provide information to the Police which was so important in helping them be able to identify those responsible.

“Hopefully the community resolution orders will be effective in changing the paths that the young people were heading on so that they change to become responsible members of their community.”