SECURITY is being stepped up on an industrial estate following a spate of vandalism.Police will be increasing patrols on the Lady Lane Industrial Estate in Hadleigh and will be talking to businesses about other extra security measures.

SECURITY is being stepped up on an industrial estate following a spate of vandalism.

Police will be increasing patrols on the Lady Lane Industrial Estate in Hadleigh and will be talking to businesses about other extra security measures.

One company has been the target of vandals six times since it moved onto the Crockatt Road extension to the estate in September.

Claire Nay, joint managing director of Semer Plant and Tool Hire with her husband Bill, said the worst incident had caused more than £2,000 in damage to machinery.

"Someone got in and set off the fire extinguishers and sprayed the machinery. The fence is regularly damaged and has been cut through at least three times," she added.

"We're currently building here and we've found footprints on the scaffolding boards, so we know people have been up there. My worry is that if someone breaks into the site and has an accident, we are responsible."

Mr Nay has now written a letter to other businesses on the estate canvassing the idea of getting a private security firm to look after it.

A spokeswoman for Hadleigh police said it was aware of the problem and an officer had been to the estate to talk to businesses about increasing security.

She added the area would be given extra attention and more patrols in an effort to catch the culprits.