Police have issued a warning over anti-social behaviour by youths causing damage in Blenheim Gardens in Minehead.

Avon and Somerset Police will be increasing patrols in the area to tackle criminal damage and anti-social behaviour.

In a statement posted to social media the Minehead and West Somerset Neighbourhood Policing team said: "Do you know what your children are doing when they are not at home?

"The team in Minehead have received reports of youths causing damage and anti-social behaviour in Blenheim Gardens.

"Photographed below is just some of the mess that Police Community Support Officers cleared from the bandstand on Monday. This type of behaviour is not tolerated and any criminal damage or anti-social behaviour will be actioned through targeted patrols."

Police posted this picture showing litter picked up by officers on Monday
Police posted this picture showing litter picked up by officers on Monday (Minehead and West Somerset Neighbourhood Policing Team)

Responding to the news on social media, outgoing deputy mayor of Minehead, Toni Bloomfield, said: "I've lost count of the amount of times myself and my kids have cleaned the bandstand every day over the last two seasons in Blenheim Gardens.

"Even down to alcohol mess, broken glass and drug paraphernalia on a couple of occasions (I never let kids touch the drug or alcohol).

"It's an ongoing problem in the area and across many of the play parks in Minehead."

Another commenter said: "The play parks are covered in rubbish and drug paraphernalia on a daily basis. One of the dog waste bins was filled with aerosol cans and then set alight, it exploded everywhere.

"Broken glass over the play equipment and used condoms left lying around, it gets even worse over the school holidays so an increase in police patrols in areas like this would be much appreciated."

The warning comes after armed police were deployed to the Minehead railway station last month as it was damaged by three axe welding vandals.

Damage caused by vandals on Sunday at the Minehead railway station
Damage caused by vandals on Sunday at the Minehead railway station (West Somerset Railway)

The West Somerset Railway reported damage to 'a number of rail vehicles' including smashed windows, interior damage, broken locks and damaged doors.

Three individuals were detained before being de-arrested after their parents were called. A police spokesperson said at the time: "We received a report that criminal damage was being caused to trains at West Somerset Railway in Minehead. Officers attended and arrested three boys. 

“The boy’s parents were called to the scene and, after their details were taken, they were de-arrested. Several carriages were damaged in the incident with windows smashed, a fire extinguisher let off and paint tipped over inside."