POLICE have launched a crackdown on vandals and yobs after a spate of incidents around shops in Dudlows Green, Appleton.

Sgt Mike Jones of Stockton Heath police said that several small windows in the shops had been broken since Christmas, culminating in the smashing of a £2,000 plate glass window on Friday.

There have been other unrelated incidents in the area recently which added to the vandalism have led the police to bring in extra manpower.

Sgt Jones said: "An elderly woman living nearby came out of her home at the weekend to see a group of youths urinating against her fence. Words were said and the confrontation ended with the youths dropping their trousers in front of her.

"We are aware of the situation around Dudlows Green and there will be extra police officers in that area, both in uniform and plain clothes, to try to nip it in the bud."

He added: "There has been damage up there before - the parish hall has had shutters fitted as a result, and we do have problems with youths hanging around the shops. This vandalism and anti-social behaviour needs to be stopped."

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