POLICE in Felixstowe have been called to deal with more than 25 incidents of vandalism in the past week, it was revealed today.Officers have stepped up patrols in some areas and have pledged to catch those causing the damage - but are asking residents to help them.

POLICE in Felixstowe have been called to deal with more than 25 incidents of vandalism in the past week, it was revealed today.

Officers have stepped up patrols in some areas and have pledged to catch those causing the damage - but are asking residents to help them.

So far this month, 11 people in Felixstowe have been arrested in connection with criminal damage and eight of those have been charged or cautioned for offences.

Officers are urging the public to make sure they dial 999 when they see vandalism being committed - just as they would in the case of other crimes.

This enables officers to get to the scene while an incident is taking place or immediately after, which allows them to have a much better chance of catching the culprits, rather than when people report incidents the following day and the scent is cold.

Police spokeswoman Anne-Marie Breach said: “Many people don't think criminal damage is something you call 999 for - they think it's not worth it, but it is.

“Whether you see someone scratching paintwork on a car, putting graffiti on a wall or assaulting someone - you should always call 999 if the crime is being committed.

“It allows officers to react immediately and attend the incident and helps increase the chances of detection.”

Officers also needed to know incidents of vandalism discovered later and not witnessed at the time, as this helps their intelligence gathering, especially in helping to identify patterns of incidents which then helps senior officers to direct extra patrols.

Three youths were seen kicking down a brick wall at Hall Pond Way between 8.30pm and 8.50pm on Monday October 16.

The three - all described as being in their early teens and one wearing a white T-shirt - were then seen running off down the road towards the Morrisons field.

In other incidents in the past week, cars have been damaged twice in Coronation Drive, and also in Mill Lane, Undercliff Road West, Plymouth Road, Langer Road, Parkeston Road; windows of houses smashed in Haven Close and Colneis Road, and a shed in Taunton Road, and at business premises in Beach Station Road.

Damage was also caused to gardens and houses, including plants in a garden in Faulkeners Way, Trimley St Mary.

Anyone with information about the incidents or offenders should call Felixstowe police on 01473 613500.