Cumbria Police Officers were verbally abused and threatened by a large group of youths after stopping them setting a fire on a football field.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, November 5, after the police discovered a pile of wood and plastic on the football field at Mill Lane, Walney with a large group in attendance.

Officers intervened in order to prevent damage, however they were verbally abused and threatened.

The youths threw fireworks at them, but the group dispersed once a police dog was brought to the scene.

In a statement Cumbria Police said: “Unfortunately a large group of youths decided it was acceptable to set fire to a load of wood and plastic at the football field on Mill Lane, Walney.

“Which is a community asset- that had police not intervened and put out would have caused significant damage to the pitch.

“However the youths not content with this think its acceptable to shout abuse and make threats to launch fireworks at officers- fortunately the attendance of the police dog soon had them dispersing away.”