WILTSHIRE TIMES EXCLUSIVE: TOWN and district councillor Roy Jackson said vigilantism could be the only way to stop wild teenagers from wrecking a street in Corsham.

Police are due to come under fire at a town council meeting on Monday night because Cllr Jackson is appalled with the way they are handling vandals who are terrorising residents in The Tynings.

Since May, his greenhouse windows have been smashed four times, eggs have been thrown at his garage and obscene graffiti has been daubed on a wall running alongside a footpath at the back of his house.

Other residents have also been targeted, including one who had a door stolen from their garden.

The street has had a history of vandalism attacks. Earlier this year, heartless youths snapped newly planted trees in two and residents faced a tirade of abuse from teenagers leaving a nearby youth centre.

Cllr Jackson cannot explain the recent explosion of vandalism but is determined to beat the troublemakers.

He said: "Maybe setting up a vigilante group would not be a bad idea. The attitude of everyone around here is that it is a waste of time telling the police as they are not doing anything about it."

Wiltshire police say their detection rate for criminal damage is the second best in the county and they are working towards improving this figure further. Over the coming weeks, they are planning to step up their patrols in problem areas.

Cllr Jackson said he has even thought about barricading up his gate to keep vandals out, but has decided against the idea.

"I don't see why I should have to put myself in a fortress to protect myself. I have a nice garden and I want to enjoy it," he said.

"The graffiti on the wall is obscene and there is no way to remove it."

Police are called out every time the vandals strike, but Cllr Jackson said the problem is not going away.

"Last time my greenhouse was broken the police asked me if I knew who did it. Of course I didn't, if I did I would have broken their neck," he added.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said drunken yobs who use The Tynings as a thoroughfare on their way home from pubs were partly to blame.

Nick Ashley, chief inspector of operations in north Wiltshire, said: "In Corsham we have an 18 per cent detection rate for criminal damage which is the second best in the county. This speaks volumes for the hard work of officers in combating the crime.

"We will always strive to do better. I would urge against any calls for vigilantism because it just goes against our work.

"Police never support vigilantism. The public can support us by coming forward with information but, along with the local authority, we are the law enforcing agency."