Further incidents of vandalism are reported to police

Northumbria Police has issued the warning.

On Sunday, security fencing in the Market Place was damaged by a group of unidentified youths, to an estimated value of £300.

On the same day, a Renault Clio had its rear window broken by unknown offenders while it was parked on Cedar Grove. The vandalism caused around £150 of damage.

Then on Monday, around £50 of damage was caused at Swansfield Park First School with paint being sprayed onto a portable building and lamppost. This followed a previous act of graffiti, which occurred between Sunday, April 17, and Monday, April 18, on Belvedere Terrace. An unknown offender sprayed graffiti onto a garden wall, causing £20 of damage.

These incidents come as police launch Operation Augusta, to fight back against a recent rise in anti-social behaviour and criminal damage in the town.

As part of the operation, patrols are being stepped up and work is being carried out with schools and youth groups to try to stamp out such behaviour. Previous incidents include bin fires and windows being smashed.

○ A 23-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of burglary from Persimmon Homes’ building site in Amble. Locks were damaged and good were taken. A man from Newbiggin has been arrested and released on police bail.

○ An external gas meter, worth around £200, was stolen from a property at Acklington Street, Amble, overnight on Sunday, April 17.

○ Police received a report of an attempted break-in of a shed at Coquetdale, Amble. Nothing was stolen, but £50 of damage was caused in the incident, which occurred last Thursday.