A SECOND vandal attack in as many weeks has highlighted a growing problem in Malvern.

Last weekend's incident at Priory Park saw flowerbeds trampled, a young tree broken and a trail of broken glass, chip wrappers and empty cans and bottles. It follows hard on the heels of a similar incident, in which hundreds of pounds of damage was caused to hanging basket at the bandstand.

But the problem is not just confined to Priory Park. Victoria Park has become a focal point for gangs of teenagers who like to hang around drinking, smoking and shouting until the early hours. The situation is causing increasing concern among local people, who are keen to stop it spiralling out of control.

Coun Pat Mewton, speaking at a recent meeting of the town council's management committee, described just how anti-social behaviour is manifesting itself.

He explained: "One end of the skate park has been taken over by a gang of youths. I went down there because a member of the public complained to me that her son had been forced to leave the park.

"When I went to investigate, there were two cars parked on the grass full of teenagers, as well as many others. I called the police but it took 25 minutes to get through to them."

Coun Ann Silk, who lives near the park, says the situation is becoming intolerable but adds that she is fearful of going outside to confront the youths themselves. She says people are feeling "isolated" and she blames a lack of police response.

Councillors are now considering a written complaint to the West Mercia force.

Meanwhile, at Priory Park, groundsman Tony Kiesslinger arrives every weekend to find young trees snapped, flowerbeds trampled and litter all over the place. In winter, shelters get covered in graffiti and the pond becomes a bin for cider bottles, beer cans and chip wrappers.

"It's got worse recently," he said. "It's depressing coming in on a Saturday morning and seeing trees uprooted and flowerbeds trampled.

"I don't know what the solution is, unless we install CCTV or have a security patrol, both of which are very expensive. Perhaps a police patrol walking through at night might help."

In Ledbury, the town council has worked hard to nullify the effects of anti-social behaviour.

Coun Spencer Lane said: "We've set aside a special budget to repair things that fall victim to vandals and, touch wood, we haven't had to use much of it yet. "We used to have more of a problem three or four years ago but it's got a lot better. I'd like to think we're doing something right rather than getting lucky."

The council is installing CCTV cameras to monitor play equipment at the town's recreation ground and this has been seen as a useful deterrent.

Chief Superintendent Simon Adams was put on the spot over vandalism in Malvern at a full Malvern Hills District Council on Tuesday (July 3). During a question-and-answer session, he said it was the sort of problem his beat officers would be 'tasked' to find answers to.

"We have lots of weaponry in our armoury to deal with these problem people," he said.

Chief Supt Adams went on to explain that not all anti-social behaviour amounted to breaking the law and that officers were now using approaches to parents to "contract" troublemakers to good behaviour.

Jenny Lawrence, community safety officer at Malvern Hills District Council, said complaints had increased recently.

"We've been trying to deal with the situation as a Community Safety Partnership," she said. "It's about getting people involved who come into contact with the kids that make trouble, like teachers, parents and social workers."

Anti-social Behaviour Orders - court orders to ban people from places or activities where they cause others misery - can be used but are a last resort.