A CAMPAIGN against soaring vandalism in Petersfield is beginning to reap results claimed police this week.

But the man in charge of Petersfield Police, Insp Steve Sargent, warned that figures are still too high and work needs to be continued.

The crack-down on vandalism began after police recorded the townÕs highest ever number of vandalism cases through December and the Christmas holiday.

A special meeting was called to discuss measures to combat the growing problem and Insp Sargent said he believed the situation had become so grave that it was time for the community to work together to try and find a solution.

He said that vandalism had been rising steadily over the last two years and DecemberÕs 49 cases was the highest ever recorded figure. It was also known, he said, that many other cases had not been reported which would make the figure even higher.

More than 100 people turned out to the special meeting including neighbourhood watch co-ordinators, East Hampshire District, Petersfield town and surrounding village parish councillors as well as representatives from residentsÕ associations and shopwatch and pub watch organisations.

A working party was set up and new measures to try and curb the rising tide of vandalism in the town were announced.

This week Insp Sargent announced: ÒIn the first four months of this year, Petersfield Police recorded an average of 33 cases per month. This is good news. A lot of work has already been done since we announced the campaign. ItÕs great to see the number of cases falling, but we are still getting an average of one per day which is too much when you look at the overall effect upon our town.Ó

Since the anti-vandalism campaign was launched the police have gained funding for an extra 120 hours of Òhigh visibilityÓ uniform foot patrol in the worst affected areas on Friday and Saturday nights, said Insp Sargent. He said this was used in March and extra patrols were still being carried out with the help of the Special Constabulary.

And at a working party meeting last week several new measures were also announced.

Insp Sargent said the Hampshire Youth Service would be sending two outreach youth workers into the town over the next six weeks to groups of youths who were congregating in trouble spots.

The Youth Offending Team, he said, had launched a Òreparation schemeÓ in which offenders who had either been convicted or cautioned by police, would undertake supervised and constructive work in the community Ð sometimes involving their victims.

Petersfield Area Neighbourhood Watch Association and Drum Housing Associations were jointly organising a poster competition in the senior schools calling for a strong anti vandalism message. Drum, said Insp Sargent, was offering £1,000 in prize money and the Neighbourhood Watch Association were also providing prizes to make it a worthwhile competition.

The East Hampshire Community Safety Partnership had come up with a leaflet and evidence gathering form to be used when a new problem area was identified. It was being delivered, said Insp Sargent, to householders asking them to be vigilant and report details of offenders and suspects.

ÒAlthough the battle is far from over,Ó he added, Òit is really good to see so many people pulling together to make a difference. The message is that vandalism is not acceptable and wonÕt be tolerated.Ó

In the meantime, investigations into individual cases continue and last week a 15-year-old boy from the Herne Farm estate was arrested for spraying paint at the Marden Way play area.