DRINKERS in Teignmouth and Dawlish who round-off the evening by smashing up other people's property are being targeted by police in the seaside resorts. Criminal damage has increased in the two towns and during the summer police are calling on residents and visitors for help in trying to stamp out the mindless destruction. Shop windows are often a prime target and repair work runs into hundreds of pounds, sometimes into four figures. Street signs, damage to cars, bowling greens and even seafront flowerbeds do not escape the attention of offenders often after a booze-fuelled spree. Between June and September last year statistics reveal that people who had been drinking committed the majority of the damage. It also mainly occurred on the walk home following a night in town, or by those moving from one pub to another licensed premises. Graffiti is the second most common form of criminal damage. The police have had success in catching offenders and providing enough evidence to enable the courts to convict and sentence those responsible. Local officers have also been working closely with their colleagues from British Transport Police to help identify offenders from other towns. Now the police have launched an operation aimed at tackling alcohol related anti-social behaviour, damage and violence, which is in place for the summer. Officers will be conducting high visibility foot patrols in the town centres, particularly on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Police are also calling on residents who can identify suspects or provide any information regarding anyone committing criminal damage, to contact them via the police central switchboard number 08452 777444, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
