Historic market damaged after youths go on rampage and shout abuse

An historic market has been left in need of urgent repairs after a group of 'rampaging' youths climbed onto its roof.

Rawtenstall Indoor Market was already in a state of disrepair before it was vandalised on Monday evening (June 26). The latest incident has made matters worse, leaving the roof in dire need of repair, Lancs Live reports.

But despite being left frustrated and disappointment, the market's owner say they want to help the culprits rather than see them punished. Dan Gregson, the market's managing director, said he believed problems were caused by a group of 'bored' young people.

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"They climbed up onto the roof and ripped off our anti-vandal spikes and shouted abuse," he said.

Following the incident, Dan and his partner Stevie - who helps to manage the venue - switched their attention to how they can foster some kind of positivity after the incident.

"They're just doing it for fun, to show off but what if one of them slipped? It is so dangerous," Dan said. "People tell us we're wasting our time trying to help them, saying they're mindless kids who just want to wreck stuff. But going forward, we want to put a different spin on it."

Dan is keen to help support the youths get involved with the community by volunteering, learning a new skill or even setting up their own little business at the market. He insists the Rossendale town's young people are "welcome to come and hang out" at the historic venue.

However, construction work on the ageing roof is not due to begin for another 10 months, so Dan has offered a plea to the vandals to think about the consequences of their actions for everyone, including traders and