POLICE patrols have been stepped up in Old Bursledon following a sharp increase in the number of vandal and nuisance crimes reported in the area.

Officers have been called to deal with a host of antisocial incidents that have included cars being torched, wheeled refuse bins being set on fire, eggs thrown at houses, windows broken and yobs careering around on motorbikes without helmets.

Now, police are asking residents to form a partnership with them in a bid to crack down on the troublemakers and restore peace to the area.

Hedge End-based police Insp Paul Newstead said: "We are very concerned about this spate of crime and public order patrols of the area have been increased.

"But we can't be everywhere 24 hours a day and we need information from anyone who can help bring the persons responsible to justice.

"We need residents to be our eyes and ears so that we can work together to sort this out. Somewhere out there will be a friend or a relative who is anxious about what these youngsters are getting up to.

"We need to stop this before it gets completely out of hand. Sooner or later they are going to set fire to themselves."

As reported by the Daily Echo, a young man suffered a broken arm after a blue Vauxhall Corsa car was torched in Bursledon railway station car park at about 9pm on February 4.

He tried to flag down another car containing potential witnesses but caught his arm in the vehicle and was dragged along the road.

Police have now renewed their appeal for the driver or passenger of a large blue people carrier or 4x4 style vehicle to come forward.

Nine days after the incident at Bursledon station, a Nissan Sunny parked in an isolated spot in School Road was broken into, and then set on fire.

Eight days later, a wheeled bin was pushed against the rear of a Rover car parked in Hungerford Lane and torched.

Bursledon Parish Council chairman Councillor, Diana Sneezum, said: "The parish council is extremely concerned about what is going on in Bursledon. We are glad the police are taking it seriously and we will be glad to co-operate with them."

She added that the village authority was also considering joining neighbouring parishes to examine the possibility of employing community wardens.

Police are urging anyone with information which could help identify culprits or anyone who spots large groups of youths congregating in the locality to contact Hedge End police station on 0845 045 4545.