TALKS between Alcester police and the town council will be held after spates of vandalism and arson attacks in the town.

Recent high-profile incidents have prompted councillors to take action and a meeting with Insp Tim Bailey has now been pencilled in for November 10.

Arsonists have already destroyed the home of Alcester Scouts, behind the Greig Centre, and the derelict Alcester Guide hut on Stratford Road, which has since been demolished, as well as setting light to litter bins.

Mayor John Hill said: "We'll be asking several questions of the police at the meeting.

"What we would like to see is obviously more police presence on the streets in the areas where the damage is happening. But what will come out of the meeting we'll just have to wait and see.

"It's no good asking the public to do it off their own bat."

The meeting was called after district councillor Susan Juned wrote to the town council and the police outlining her concerns.

She said: "I contacted the police after the arson attacks as well as the vandalism. I know the police are hoping to be more preventative and work with younger people and communities to find out what the causes are.

"So I'm hoping the police could work with the town council to make sure this behaviour doesn't continue.

"I know the police do have small grants and hopefully this will start people talking to each other."

Mrs Juned added: "Town councillors know the town intimately and after the Warwickshire Chief Constable's plea to get communities and the police to work together, it should be a good start."

Insp Bailey, who will attend the meeting with beat officer Steve Timms, said: "It's a private meeting where we can discuss concerns councillors may have.

"We do work in partnership with the councils who do let us have funding, which has been well spent on community support officers and the community against drugs schemes."