VANDALS and yobs in Marlborough had better watch out because police are to start new anti-crime patrols in the town and surrounding villages.

That was the promise made to the Town Council on Monday by the new area police commander Insp Jerry Dawson.

Insp Dawson took over as senior officer at the Marlborough police station this month in a job swap with Insp Bill Dowling who has moved to the force control room in Devizes.

Insp Dawson told councillors that he came from a background of crime investigation and he believed crime had to be tackled before it started.

He said: "We will be introducing crime and disorder patrols with plain clothes officers in plain vehicles."

Insp Dawson said any strangers would be stopped and challenged and asked why they were in the area.

Industrial and commercial premises were regarded as vulnerable, he said, especially any targeted previously.

Uniformed officers would be conducting regular surgeries at the town police station and in the villages .