A CULTURE of not "getting involved" is responsible for rampant vandalism in Dorset towns, a community leader has claimed.

Blandford councillors regularly hear a litany of "mindless vandalism" across the town as workers check sites daily.

In the last month alone, safety rails have been wrecked and broken glass found at the skate park. Excrement was discovered in a waste bin in a lavatory while another was blocked by toilet paper.

Flowers have been ripped out of planters and the cricket pavilion is regularly targeted.

The play area at Hunt Road had to be closed for a month in the summer after a park bench was ripped out of its concrete and a child was injured as a direct result. It is believed he suffered a broken leg.

Town councillors have offered £200 for anyone reporting acts of vandalism which results in a successful prosecution - but in two years no one has claimed it.

Recreation and amenities chairman Lynn Lindsay said: "Vandalism is rife everywhere. It is only a few who are causing these problems.

"I think it's getting worse - there's that culture out on the streets.

"When we were young Auntie Joan or the bobby on the beat would have come and told your mum.

"That has now ceased to happen - and parents don't seem to believe that little Joe actually does naughty things.

"Youth offending teams have got too much to do - it's just spiralling out of control."

Mrs Lindsay praised home beat officer Simon Evans and the Police Community Support Officers but deplored the fact that the public ignored vandalism when they saw it happening

"People don't want to become involved unless it's in their own back yard. We have a reward system for a successful prosecution but it's never been claimed," she added.

"Our outside staff are spend-ing so much time securing vandalism and clearing it up.

"The men are actually doing the work so we can't put a figure on it but if we had to use outside agencies it would cost thousands.

"It's a nightmare but if you give up then they have won and it's not fair for the majority to suffer."

First published: November 12