A mayor is backing a police campaign to crack down on vandalism in the town.

Hundreds of pounds worth of damage has been caused around Carterton in recent months. The town mayor, Cllr Joe Walcott, said: "There has been a lot of vandalism in the town. I have received a lot of complaints and, as a council, we are backing this campaign and want to make sure the police have as much power as they can to carry out their duties."

Insp Arthur Saville said: "We've had people breaking windows with catapults, damage to the public toilets and traffic lights and graffiti.

"It's a real on-going problem and caused by mindless morons. Luckily no-one has been hurt, but it is making life miserable for a number of people.

"We got to get it home to the public that at the end of the day they pay for it, either through increased insurance premiums or increased council taxes. We want people, if they see others causing damage, to get in touch with us straight away."

On Thursday and Friday the mobile police station will be in the town centre from 10am onwards.

Photographs will highlight damage caused in recent months and police will be on hand to give advice.