TARGETTED police patrols are underway in Stoke to stop vandalism in the village.

At Stoke Parish Council's June meeting, WPC Michelle Caldicott said that since May the patrols had been taking place in the evenings.

One of the most recent vandalism attacks was last month when rubber safety matting, under play equipment at Ryefields Road recreation ground, was set alight. The play area has been closed since the incident because it is now unsafe.

WPC Caldicott said: "We have had witnesses come forward to that incident, so we are currently investigating it. There has been a lot of vandalism in the two garages next to the recreation ground - I have recommended that the district council secures them."

Some residents and parish councillors at the meeting said they were pleased with police presence in the village - one parish councillor said he'd sometimes seen patrols three or four times a night.

WPC Caldicott said she had provided the officers with a map of the area to show them where the youths were hanging out so they could be moved on.

Parish councillor Sean Shannon suggested involving anti-social legislation. "I have noticed a big increase in police patrol cars, but the damage is still going on and escalating in some places," he said. "I'm wondering if we can look at anti-social legislation and also get the community safety team involved."