POTENTIAL vandals are being warned that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in Alton.
Following a report that vandalism is costing the town thousands of pounds to clean up, the feeling among local councillors continues to be that "to give in to vandalism is not an option".
In a report to last week's meeting of Alton Town Council's recreation meeting, members were disappointed to hear that, while the level of vandalism aimed at council property traditionally increases during the summer months, the degree of severity this year is disturbingly high.
According to head groundsman John Sadler, a recent overnight incident in the Public Gardens had seen the contents of litter bins thrown out, flower beds trampled and plants pulled up and scattered around the park.
On that same night, the children's playground at Anstey Park had been targeted with a large hole burnt in a new picnic bench, the theft of a seat and chains from the swings together with vandalism of another and of the slide. The quotation to repair vandalism of the play area alone has been put at over £1,000.
A disturbing factor is that most of the vandalism would appear to be alcohol related, said Mr Sadler, who felt that it was no coincidence that the areas concerned had been strewn with broken bottles and empty lager cans.
Deputy town mayor John Smith said that this sort of behaviour was "a reflection on every single person living in Alton".
The town council, he said, had asked the police to increase their patrols of public areas, and would ask anyone who is witness to an act of vandalism to report it to the police or to an officer of the council.
As long as it was feasible, the council would always replace or clean up any damage caused. "Once we start giving into vandalism we will lose amenities and facilities and our town will not look as good as it does at the moment," said Mr Smith.
While an attempt by the police to secure funding for the installation of CCTV cameras in Alton had recently failed, Alan Chick felt that since the government was taking a more positive stance on the installation of cameras in villages and towns to combat any lack of police coverage, it may be worth trying again.
He felt a degree of publicity surrounding acts of vandalism was necessary in order to show some parents what their children were getting up to.
"It's somebody's children carrying out this vandalism and I feel that they and other members of the public should see what is going on and what their taxes are being spent on," said Mr Chick.
Referring to the possible alcohol link, colleague, Bob Evans said the police were looking into where under-age drinkers were getting their alcohol from. "They must be getting it somewhere and getting it illegally," he stressed.
Town clerk Steven Parkinson said that the council was keeping a record of all incidents - "a fairly long list" which he would prepare for the next meeting to show the cost of vandalism to the town.
r Supportive of Alton Town Council's attitude of zero tolerance towards vandalism, Alton police have confirmed that increased resources are being put into policing of both the Public Gardens and Anstey Park, in a bid to combat youth nuisance, under-age drinking and vandalism.
"The emphasis is on high- visibility policing," confirmed acting sgt Robert Wallis who said that part of this initiative was to advise off-licence premises on the law regarding sale of alcohol to under-age drinkers. Police would also take positive action by, for example, pouring away alcohol, cautioning offenders and bringing a conviction where offences have occured.
"Local residents can rest assured that we do back Alton Town Council in its attitude towards vandalism and know how they feel about the subject," he said.