FRIENDS of Biss Meadows are pleading with the public to report anti-social behaviour and vandalism after a number of benches have been damaged or destroyed.

Earlier this month, a timber bench, funded by grants and worth several hundred pounds, was damaged when people carved their names into it.

Ernie Newcombe, 70, who has been chairman of the Friends of Biss Meadows for five years, said he is frightened about what might happen next.

“Every time I go down there, I never know what I’m going to find,” he said.

“People have to understand that it is not only anti-social behaviour that causes annoyance, it is also vandalism. A few people have taken delight in carving their names in the seats and benches and we spend a long time trying to get it out.

“Of course there are drunk people pushed out from the park into Biss Meadows and so it is a vicious circle.

“We can’t police Biss Meadows 24 hours a day and we can’t get CCTV because there is no line of sight to the Civic Centre where the aerial is.”

The Friends group, which has over 300 members, says vandalism is on the increase and hopes that action is taken swiftly to put a stop to it.

Mr Newcombe added: “We get a tremendous amount of support from the public and the police, as well as the contractors who come in to cut the grass.

“What we don’t get is support from the public who see vandalism but don’t report it.

“The problem is we get 500 people through here who are fantastic but one or two spoil it for everyone. My philosophy is that if I see something wrong, I will report it.”

Wiltshire Police says is it carrying out regular patrols.

A spokesman added: “We are aware of activity at Biss Meadows including drug use and some anti-social behaviour. We ask the public to make us aware of anti-social behaviour by calling 101 and we will send out a unit to deal with it.”

The Friends of Biss Meadows will be holding a ‘thank you’ day on July 2 for people who have helped maintain the country park.