DIALLING the non-urgent police line 101 is of no use if the crime is taking place as the call is being made.

Marchwood's beat bobby PC Elliot Campbell has given the warning following a spate of petty crime by youths in the village.

PC Campbell urged residents to dial 999 to report incidents as they happened.

Marchwood has seen repeated vandalism and graffiti during the winter months.

Local police, community support officers and councillors have agreed to make a concerted effort to stamp it out.

PC Campbell told Marchwood Parish Council: "Incidents are creeping up again.

"This time last year, all the bus shelters were getting smashed and we responded with plain-clothes patrols.

"We are 99 per cent sure who is causing the damage."

He said police arrested one local youth, who cannot be identified, in December for damaging a vehicle. If he is prosecuted, the police are seeking to get an Anti-Social Behaviour Order imposed on him.

PC Campbell is encouraging residents who see incidents to immediately dial 999.

He said: "If you see something happening, like a bus stop being damaged or cars being damaged, call 999 at that time, then the police can get there and arrest the individual.

"We would rather have three people calling up reporting rowdy youths than no one calling."

He said the 101 number should be used to report antisocial behaviour and petty crime after it has happened.