A DROITWICH pensioner has criticised police for failing to keep the town safe from vandals and yobs.

Thomas Bell said youngsters recently threw stones at homes and cars, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

The 68-year-old wants West Mercia Police to increase the number of officers patrolling the streets. He claims the visible presence of officers in the 1960s and 70s prevented much of the problems he sees all over the town today.

"Something should be done," he said. "Things in this town are getting worse. God knows how many other residents are having similar problems to us. The damage we know of runs into thousands of pounds.

"What we need is the old fashioned method of a policeman on the beat, solely for the purpose of looking out for troublemakers.

"Droitwich has been a lovely place to live and I would like to see it return to how it was - free of vandals."

Mr Bell's house in Stalls Farm Road was recently attacked by vandals throwing stones at the windows and children have even thrown stones at his car as he drove along.

"Chippings from our neighbour's driveway were also thrown at my window," he said. "It could quite easily have been a stone or brick. I dread to think what could have happened."

But he added it is not just he and his 65-year-old wife Sylvia's lives that have been made a misery.

"My son, who lives in Parkway, was recently targeted when they threw stones at his windows. This went on for weeks and he had to put a sign up saying he had installed CCTV. I also have friends in Vines Lane. A lady there had her green house windows smashed by children doing the same," he said.

A spokesman for south Worcestershire police said Droitwich was frequently patrolled by officers - on foot, in high-profile patrol cars and in unmarked vehicles at different times of the day and night.

"The fact that members of the public do not always see officers does not mean that they are not patrolling the area," he said.

"Quite often, covertly in un-marked vehicles."

He confirmed that they had received a complaint about an incident in Stalls Farm Road - and a stone hitting a vehicle.

Anyone with information relating to the incident - or any other incidents of vandalism, anti-social behaviour or crime - can telephone police on 08457 444888. Alternatively people can give information anony mously to CrimeStoppers on 0800 555111.