B.C.'s attorney general says a group of anti-poverty activists who vandalized Premier Gordon Campbell's constituency office are nothing more than a "lawless" bunch intent on "terrorizing people."

"To have louts like these people (go) there -- who think they have a message to give to people but in fact create mischief -- it's disturbing," said Wally Oppal.

On Thursday, four members of the Anti-Poverty Committee, a Vancouver-area protest group that made headlines last month for shouting profanities at Governor General Michaelle Jean, tried to burst into Campbell's Vancouver office. When they were shut out by staff members, they vandalized the building, splashing it with paint.

They painted the wall outside the office with Olympic colours to protest the 2010 Games.

"Why we went to the premier's office was to protest the budget, the lack of any real money being spent on what poor people need, you know, housing, not hotels but real social housing," group spokesperson David Cunningham told a Vancouver-area radio station.

He told CTV British Columbia, "If doing something like this means mild probation or a night or two in jail, it's worth it to get housing."

But the province's attorney general said the group's antics are little more than intimidation tactics. A few days ago, they vandalized the Olympic Clock in Vancouver and last year the group trashed the premier's office in Victoria.

"They're not really in favour of democracy," said Oppal.

"They're not democratic at all. They're a bunch of lawless people who are intent on forcing their own views on other people."

Oppal said the alleged vandals frightened the staff at the constituency office. He also noted that he doesn't believe the group is representative of other protesters and demonstrators who get their message out peacefully. He said dissent and debate is necessary in a democracy. But he added, "These activities of these people have no place at all in any democracy."

Oppal said police will investigate and authorities will then take appropriate action. Police called the actions a "criminal act."

"This is mischief and there will be charges coming out of it," said Vancouver Police Const. Jana McGuinness.