"MINDLESS" yobs as young as 11 are causing misery for volunteers who man a Worcester community venue, claims a city pensioner.

The grandfather says volunteers at Dines Green Community Centre have been subjected to verbal abuse and intimidation by the youngsters.

He claims the schoolchildren, believed to be aged 11 to 16, have smashed windows and damaged the centre's children's play area.

The man, who works as a volunteer at the Shakespeare Road centre but does not want to be named, has also criticised police for not doing more to stop the culprits.

"Complaints have been made to the police, but no action taken," he said. "It's mostly boys doing that sort of thing."

Volunteers had suffered abuse from children since the centre opened in 1996, and he claimed that, when he first started working there three years ago, children ran up a bill of £50 one day on the reception phone they were allowed to use to call parents.

"We told the youngsters about it and they got abusive," he said. "The volunteers have been subjected to harassment and intimidation from yobs who've nothing better to do than mindless acts of vandalism and disruption.

"Youngsters knock on the windows at night time and shout at groups using the centre."

He said vandalism in the past six months had included 15 windows being smashed and air vents being broken.

"We had one lad, about 12, who broke five windows. But he was too young to be prosecuted.

"Yobs have damaged a play area by breaking one of the little slides.

"We just want to be left alone and cater for the people who use the centre. But one thing's certain, these yobs won't beat us."

Worcester police confirmed seven recorded offences at the centre from July to December 2001 - involving vandalism to a letterbox, and theft - and spokeswoman Vicki Davies said it was vital people contacted them.

"Those in the community usually know these people," she said. "A 12-year-old can be prosecuted at the youth court, if we have the evidence."