TEENAGERS ran amok at a Darlington industrial estate, spraying paint on walls and smashing CCTV cameras.

The incident happened on Wednesday night at Faverdale Industrial Estate, a site shared by AMS Steel Fabrications, Glenwood Paint Supplies, and Allten Windows.

Staff spent the following day clearing up, and reviewing security camera footage with the police.

The vandalism is the latest in a series of incidents over the past year.

Workers believe the damage is caused by local teenagers, who regularly meet at the site to drink alcohol and play football.

One business owner, who did not want to be named, said: "This has been going on for too long.

They spray paint everywhere, smash glass, and they even set fire to trees. At one point I had the fire brigade out three times in three days because they kept setting fires.

"They were here at about 7.45pm last night, and there must have been about 20 of them.

"They were knocking a ball about for a bit, but then they started causing trouble. The started spraying paint all over the floor and up the walls, and smashing up security lights and cameras. They got a hold of a tin of creosote and threw it all over the road."

Workers at the site believe the vandals are teenagers from the nearby Branksome estate.

"We have had the police up time and time again," the business owner added.

"At one point they were going to arrest a couple of the boys involved, but they just keep coming back.

"They leave a huge mess, then go home, and thats it.

I realised what had happened when I got in to work this morning.

"They threw paint up the side of one of the buildings, and have been pulling tiles off roofs trying to get in.

"It seems to be local kids in their early teens from Branksome, and many of them are young girls.

"When customers drive up the road they see what a state the place is in, it is disgraceful.

"You can't say anything to them because they give you a load of lip, and there are too many of them to do anything.

"The police say the parents are as much to blame as the kids - they obviously don't know, or care, what their kids are up to."

Inspector John Zissler, of Darlington Police said: "We will be increasing police presence at the site with beat officers and PCSOs.

"We have nothing against youths gathering, as long as they don't cause criminal damage or other annoyances to members of the public.

"I would urge anyone who has witnesses anti-social behaviour taking place at the site to get in touch with us."

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Darlington Police on 0345-60-60-365.