POLICE have hit back at complaints that they are not tackling vandals, by saying the crimes were not reported.

Corsham police came under fire from town and district councillor Roy Jackson last week after he claimed they were not doing their job.

"The attitude of everyone around here is that it is a waste of time telling the police as they are not doing anything about it," said Coun Jackson.

He said vigilantism could be the only way to stop teenage vandals wrecking an alleyway behind The Tynings where he lives.

In the last three months, Coun Jackson said, his greenhouse windows have been smashed four times and obscene graffiti has been sprayed on the alleyway wall.

But Sergeant David Eddy, newly appointed to Corsham Police Station, said the police could only tackle problems if they were alerted to them.

He said: "We are now aware of the problems and we are increasing patrols in that area."

Police will be meeting the town council on Monday to discuss the problem.