REPEATED acts of vandalism in Shipston have angered and frustrated town councillors.

The latest outbreak came last Saturday night when vandals damaged a seat in Telegraph Street and left a trail of smashed bottles and litter in the nearby car park.

The seat was quickly repaired and the rubbish cleared up by town council workmen, but Mayor Keith Rutter told Monday's town council meeting: "It is more work for our chaps to clear up every day."

Councillor Elaine Robinson said: "I have been approached about this and I passed on my thoughts that if people reported crime the police might not do anything, but if they see there is crime in Shipston and increasing crime in Shipston then we are more likely to see a police presence.

"It is very difficult, because what can we do as a council? All we can do is keep badgering the police."

Others agreed that people should be encouraged to report crimes and incidents to officers and also agreed that one of the major problems in the town was under-age drinking.

Not all the vandalism is carried out by teenagers, said councillor Penny White, adding: "I have been told that some of the damage to plants in Shipston was done by little girls, aged seven or eight-years-old, which is quite upsetting." The town councillors agreed to ask Shipston Primary School headteacher Michael Parkhouse if he can talk to pupils about the issue.

Another possible solution on the horizon is the introduction of CCTV cameras to Shipston. They are already due to be introduced in the Telegraph Street car park and the district council's community services committee will be asked to put High Street cameras in its capital programme.

The Stour area committee, which met last week, agreed to ask for its inclusion and district councillor Trevor Russel said: "I'm optimistic about it being put in the programme."