CHILDREN as young as seven are vandalising property and bringing misery to residents in part of Malvern.

People living in the Langland area say they have had their fences broken and complained that the land around their homes had become a dumping ground for abandoned cars and televisions.

One resident, Eric Williams, has taken photographs of the damage.

"They have broken my fence panels and a neighbour had broken glass scattered in his garden," said Mr Williams, of Pound Bank.

"They also set fire to three cars recently and the fire brigade had to come out to deal with the blazes.

"I'm always calling the police, but nothings seems to be done about it."

Town councillor Ann Silk said the vandalism was something which happened week in, week out.

"We are talking about very anti-social behaviour happening here," she said.

"Some of the smaller children are only seven or eight."

The revelations emerged as Insp Doug Sheldrick, of Malvern police, told a town council meeting that the town was the second safest place in the country, according to the British Crime Survey.

He acknowledged the Langland area had some problems, but said the seven and eight-year-olds alleged to be causing the damage were outside the legal system.

He added that Langland was soon to have a neighbourhood warden as part of the area's regeneration project.

But Coun Silk said she remained unconvinced.

"It might be one of the safest areas, but we don't feel like it," she added.