POLICE officers are patrolling around a railway tunnel “as often as possible” after concerns were raised that it was being used as a rat run by criminals.

Known locally as Devil’s Archway, the tunnel runs between Suffolk Drive and Worcester Trading Estate in Blackpole.

Mark Watson, who lives a few yards from the tunnel entrance on Suffolk Drive, says burglaries and vandalism are increasing in the area, with the culprits then escaping down the narrow tunnel.

He said: “I want the authorities to block it or for it to be policed more closely, not to leave it to be misused for crime.”

The Worcester News reported on the issue on Monday, with a West Mercia Police spokeswoman confirming that officers were aware of concerns "about anti-social behaviour”.

However, she added: “We rarely get reports of incidents in this area.”

PCSO Linda Pawley then tweeted a photo on Monday taken from outside the tunnel.

She said Arboretum and Claines safer neighbourhood team were patrolling the archway behind and to the side of Suffolk Drive due to concerns.

Mr Watson, who has lived on the street for six years, claims he was woken up last Wednesday morning as youths set a motorbike alight before escaping down the tunnel.

Earlier this month, a thief was caught on Mr Watson’s CCTV stealing his wheelie bins, before also “making off into the tunnel,” he said. St Stephen’s ward city councillors Gareth Jones and Neil Laurenson have voiced support for Mr Watson.