WEST Somerset police warned this week about an alarming rise in teenage vandalism across the district after they mounted investigations into anti-social behaviour in Minehead, Dulverton, Watchet and Williton.

Residents were urged to report cases of violence and wilful damage, and are being asked to keep anti-social behaviour diaries which will provide evidence if the offenders are caught and prosecuted.

Last Saturday, fire crews were called to Minehead’s Blenheim Gardens at 3.40am to deal with a 50-year-old 30ft palm tree which was destroyed after being deliberately set on fire.

Last weekend vandals in Minehead also scattered rubbish along the seafront, destroyed beds of tulips and ripped wooden panelling from the inside of a seafront shelter. Recent damage has included a fire in the Irnham Road toilets and fences and stone walls demolished on North Hill.

Claiming that the damage caused by vandals was seriously escalating, newly re-elected Minehead mayor Cllr Paul Bolton this week called for more full-time police officers in the town and for the police station to be properly manned.

Cllr Bolton said: “It is a worrying situation because vandalism has increased severely over recent months. The police are aware of who the culprits are but can’t catch them doing it. I would urge members of the public who see vandalism taking place to immediately call the police."

For the full story, see this week’s West Somerset Free Press.