A 13-YEAR-OLD boy from Darwen has been handed a £40 fine after shattering the window of a VW van.

On March 19 police were parked in Industry Street following a number of incidents involving damage to cars over recent months and caught the boy red-handed at about 8.45pm.

The plain-clothed officers sat in an unmarked police car chased the boy and gave him a penalty notice for disorder.

PC Geoff Unsworth said: "There have been a number of incidents of damage to vehicles in the Industry Street area over recent months where innocent car owners have had their vehicles damaged.

"Police witnessed a 13-year-old boy damaging the window of a VW van, which was parked on the street, right in front of their eyes.

"As a result the window of the vehicle had shattered and after a short chase, the boy was detained and issued with a £40 Penalty Notice for Disorder."

PC Unsworth warned vandals committing acts of criminal damage could face an arrest or a court appearance.

Anyone with information about vehicle damage can telephone 08451 253545 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.