PETERSFIELD police are waging a war on vandals in the town.
Insp Steve Sargent told The Herald: ÒVandalism is a very worrying problem in the town. It represents almost a quarter of all reported crime and has risen dramatically since last year.Ó
He said that police officers in Petersfield were paying special attention to groups of rowdy youngsters and to the routes that people took home after closing time in pubs at the weekend.
On Friday night, two 15-year-old boys from Petersfield were arrested when they were caught in the act of damaging The Avenue Pavilion and a nearby outbuilding.
Three more youths nearby were checked and as a result of police enquiries two of them were arrested in connection with the damage the following day.
ÒCharges are now being considered,Ó said Insp Sargent, Òalthough the youths cannot be named for legal reasons.Ó
ÒWe expect to make more arrests over the next few weeks until this trend stops.Ó
Also on Friday night, in a separate incident, four 13-year-olds were taken home by Petersfield police when they were discovered worse the wear for alcohol in the town.
Insp Sargent said: ÒOfficers spoke to the parents of each child and all were very supportive of the police action. The lack of juveniles seen in the streets of the town the following evening was noticeable.Ó