STAFF were too frightened to lay a finger on children who launched a graffiti attack on Blackburn Ice Arena, its boss said today.

The vandals, thought to be as young as ten, struck twice this week.

But Des Finlay, managing director of Blackburn Arena Ltd, said staff were reluctant to apprehend them because of fears they may be prosecuted for being heavy-handed.

A manager went out to confront the children, but they ran away.

Mr Finlay said: "The duty managers are afraid to lay a hand on anyone.

"If we are able to catch them in the act, then we can take them inside by the collar and call the police.

"We are all reluctant to do that because of the way the law is stacked against the person offended against.

"As soon as the law changes, the sooner we can put a stop to this kind of behaviour."

He said staff had used "reasonable force" in the past to apprehend vandals, but now had to let them get away with it.

The footage shows young children vandalising the arena at about 4.20pm on Tuesday, and then returning about two hours later.

The duty manager is seen confronting the youths, but all run away except for one, who tries to hide the aerosol can.

Mr Finlay said he despaired at the children's behaviour.

He said: "The parents just turn their back to everything. Why do we have to tolerate this? These are ten-year-old kids, surely at this age they should know the difference between right and wrong.

"They should do this on their own front door, instead of coming to mine. I would have liked them to come back with scrubbing brushes and clean the wall themselves."

A Lancashire police spokesman said: "We would reassure staff that if an incident is serious enough to warrant it, then police will attend."