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WATCH OUT: PC Mike Moss and PCSO Shaun Redmond on patrol

POLICE are stepping up patrols in Corsham after vandals damaged cars in South Street.

Five owners reported their tyres being slashed and wing mirrors ripped off, but residents think the number of cars damaged was much higher.

The attacks follow a spate of vehicle vandalism in the road in which cars were daubed with spray paint.

One woman, who did not want to be named for fear of reprisals, said: "The vandalism is becoming increasingly worse, I had my tyre slashed and my son had his tyre let down last Friday night, but I've had wing mirrors snapped off in the past.

"It is frustrating to have to keep replacing wing mirrors. They cost £50 a time. I think we need something to deter them, CCTV would be a good thing and more patrols would help."

Sergeant Steve McGrath has now said there will be a extra patrols in the South Street area and the use of CCTV surveillance.

Sgt McGrath said: "Although the overall crime rate for the Corsham area is down by 6.7 per cent from this time last year, and our crime detection rates are up, we are by no means complacent.

"We want residents to know that we are ready to react to their concerns, which is why we have launched this latest initiative aimed at tackling criminal damage in the town centre and South Street areas."

There were also a number of security lights broken at businesses around the High Street on the same night as the car attacks and police are investigating if the crimes are connected.

The police want to arrange a meeting with residents and a number of associations including local community safety partners to look at long-term solutions for the neighbourhood. They are pleased with their level of communication with residents and businesses, which has both proved a great help in reporting incidents and suspects.

Sgt McGrath added: "We want to send a message to people who think vandalism and committing criminal damage is a crime they can get away with.

"We are watching you and we will use every resource at our disposal to bring you before the courts.

"South Street is a route back from the town for many people after a night out and we believe a very small minority of those people are committing anti-social behaviour.

Mike Moss, the neighbourhood beat officer said: "We are working with the council to try and provide mobile cctv surveillance for trouble spots.There is already CCTV equipment in the centre which is working well but we hope to introduce it to the streets outside of the centre."

1:32pm Thursday 10th April 2008

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