POLICE were rushed off their feet after a wave of vandalism hit Stotfold on Friday night. The damage to public property started late in the evening around The Green area of the town. Police had to deal with more than a dozen reports of vandalism Being bla

POLICE were rushed off their feet after a wave of vandalism hit Stotfold on Friday night.

The damage to public property started late in the evening around The Green area of the town.

Police had to deal with more than a dozen reports of vandalism

Being blamed for the damage to vehicles, fences and windows are a gang og youths that regularly gather on The Green at night.

But this has been the worst night yet and area inspector John Maries, head of Biggleswade police, is now promising more police patrols will be sent to the town to try and stop the trouble, by what he says are mindless hooligans.

"This is now a big problem in the town and now Stotfold is under my control I am going to make sure it stops before the problem escalates," said inspector Maries.

"I understand Stotfold has been a problem area for petty vandalism for some time but the number of incidents on Friday night was just not acceptable.

"We cannot patrol the town 24 hours a day but we had a lot of officers on the ground on Friday night but as soon as their backs were turned the vandalism started.

"But this behaviour by a mindless minority of hooligans will not be allowed to continue because it is costing hundreds of pounds each weekend.

"Two people who had their cars badly scratched are facing repair bills of over £200 each, an extra expense for Christmas they didn't bargain for."

Inspector Maries says more police patrols will be concentrated on The Green and this week warned any youngsters found causing vandalism will be immediately cautioned and if they are found breaking the law again could face an appearance in a youth court.

"We are not prepared to just hand out warnings. We are going to get tough on vandals to stamp out this problem," added inspector Maries.