A CALL has gone out for more police in Bidford after graves in the village churchyard were desecrated.

The attacks are part of a spate of vandalism that has angered residents and parish councillors.

Mark Smith, the Big Meadow gatekeeper, said at the monthly parish council meeting last week, that toilets on land nearby had been smashed and that rubbish had been left lying around.

Councillor Frank Spiers said St Laurence's churchyard had been targeted.

Someone had removed the lid of a 17th century tomb and desecrated another grave.

A phonebox in the High Street had also been vandalised and cars parked at the White Lion pub and the Saddlery damaged, said residents.

Parish councillors and residents have also called for travellers encamped on a field next to the Big Meadow to be evicted.

Mr Smith said: "If it was by Anne Hathaway's Cottage or Mary Arden's House, Stratford District Council would soon move them on." PC Peter Batacanin said he had spoken to the landowner recently and told him the travellers had been disruptive. Youths gathering outside Dillons at night also came under fire. Residents said they felt intimidated and some had been threatened.

PC Batacanin said he had taken several youths to their homes following incidents outside the shop, and informed parents of their misbehaviour.

A resident asked PC Batacanin if it was possible to have more police in the village.

He responded by saying he would ask Warwickshire Police to "pay more attention" to Bidford.

Coun Frank Spiers said: "The big major issue is to get the people off the land next to the meadow."

Stratford District Council press officer Mark Lepkowski said that because the travellers were on private land it was up to the landowner to apply for an eviction notice and for the police to move them on.

He added: "We've got no control of what happens on private land.

"We only get involved if they are camping on our land, this is a matter for the police to evict them."