POLICE in Beccles are stepping up patrols after receiving a number of reports of criminal damage in recent weeks - and are urging members of the public to call 999 immediately if they suspect this type of crime may be in progress.

POLICE in Beccles are stepping up patrols after receiving a number of reports of criminal damage in recent weeks - and are urging members of the public to call 999 immediately if they suspect this type of crime may be in progress.

Officers have been tasked with uniformed patrols in areas that have been affected and are working to locate those responsible for previous crimes, but are also asking for the help of local residents to prevent and detect offences.

Among the most recent incidents were two slabs being pushed off a garden wall at Caxton Road between 7.45pm and 8.15pm on New Year's Eve, Wednesday December 31, and stones being knocked from a wall in Grove Road between 8.30pm and 9.30pm on New Year's Eve.

A wing mirror was knocked off a Ford car parked in Maple Way between 6pm and 11.15pm on New Year's Day, and a wing mirror was wrenched from a purple Renault parked in Denmark Road between 8pm on New Year's Eve and 9am on New Year's Day.

Anyone with information about any of the incidents should call Beccles Police on 01986 835300.

If you see any damage being committed please call police immediately using 999 as this gives officers the opportunity to attend quickly, increasing the likelihood of the offenders being caught and possibly preventing other incidents.