A SICKENED councillor has demanded a clampdown on vandalism after fires, smashed bus shelters and a wrecked community centre have plagued Worcester residents in the last month.

None of Worcester's five city estates have escaped damage and Councillor Mike Layland wants a meeting between fellow councillors, the Safer Worcester Partnership and West Mercia police to curb the problem.

"We need a meeting now. Residents are just becoming increasingly fed up with vandalism. It's been going on for years and it's getting worse," said Coun Layland.

"I receive complaints from people in all areas of Worcester every day of the week and action needs to be taken.

"We do need people to report vandalism to the police, but the public want the reassurance that officers will turn up to tackle their problems."

On Sunday afternoon at 3.15pm, a blaze destroyed a garden fence, shed and trees bordering a vandalised alleyway in Lincoln Green, Ronkswood. A fire crew contained the problem, before it could reach the homes of pensioners in nearby sheltered housing.

Half an hour earlier, the same crew tackled a hedge fire at Rose Hill Day School in Windermere Drive, Warndon Villages.

A rubbish fire was also started at the back of garages in Kentmere Close on Tuesday evening.

"We don't know what caused the fires, but hedges and fences don't just set fire on their own," said Alec Mackie, spokesman for Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade.

Coun Margaret Layland, his sister-in-law, also believes a meeting will be helpful since windows at the Green Centre, Dines Green and phone box in Gresham Road have twice been smashed within the last few weeks.

Other recent incidences of vandalism includes wrecked estate bus shelters and smashed roof timber set to go on the revamped Scout hut and youth centre in Medway Road.

Chief Insp Sharon Gibbons, of West Mercia police, said the force were always keen to work with the community to find long-term solutions and would be pleased to speak with Coun Layland to discuss residents' concerns.

"There has been an increase in public confidence to report crimes but only one of the incidents has been mentioned..

"If it is not reported, we do not know there is a problem until we read about it in the newspapers."

"We always aim to respond to calls as promptly as possible, but in order to ensure the correct response, we have to prioritise the calls we receive. Due to heavy demand it is not always possible to act as quickly as we or the public would like."