Clampdown on vandals

3:00pm Wednesday 13th August 2008

POLICE have pledged to increase patrols in Wallingford this summer, in a bid to clamp down on vandalism.

The Bullcroft, Castle Gardens, Riverside park, swimming and paddling pools have all been the target of mindless attacks. A town councillor has even snapped vandals in action at the bowls club. Police have said they will act on the photographs.

Town clerk Andrew Rogers said: "The vandalism comes in waves - there is a lot some weeks, and then it goes quiet.

"But every year it costs thousands of pounds of council taxpayers' money to put right the damage, clean up the graffiti, replace damaged street furniture and so on.

"If we claimed on insurance every time something like this happens, our premiums would go up and that would cost taxpayers even more. So we pay out of council cash."

He said the summer holidays always produced more vandalism than usual and for that reason the council had asked police to increase patrols in problem areas.

Town council member Colin Dolton saw youths on top of the bowls club pavilion in Bullcroft.

He said: "Bowls club members are regularly intimidated by local young people, under-age drinkers hurl bottles on to the bowling green and if this carries on, I can see the club closing down."

He said he took photographs and sent them to the police and the school. The school head, Wyll Willis, dealt with the boys.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: "There is nothing illegal about taking photographs of young people involved in criminal activities.

"If photographs are supplied to us, we will deal with them appropriately."

Police Community Support Officer Samantha Greenough said: "We have noticed youths are out later socialising with their friends.

"We have strategically stepped up foot patrols in key hotspots to tackle any issues that may arise. Alcohol plays a key role. Under-age drinking is a problem for England as a whole and Wallingford is no exception to this.

"As the summer holidays have begun, this has once again become our top priority and through patrolling and CCTV, we are tackling it appropriately.

"We are confiscating all alcohol from under-age drinkers and those who are supplying it to younger youths."

She added: "Castle Gardens have recently been damaged extensively, litter has been thrown into the river and left in the Riverside car park and swimming pool area."

Town council member Betty Atkins, who achieved a rapport with local youths when she headed patrols made up of local people and councillors in a bid to head off vandalism, said: "We must remember that the trouble is caused by a minority. Most young people are decent youngsters who cause no trouble at all."