Rayleigh town councillors are considering taking out a private prosecution against a man caught damaging the Millennium Clock.

Bemused shoppers in the High Street thought the clock had slowed just months after it was installed as part of the millennium celebrations.

Further investigation revealed it was an act of vandalism and the hands had been put back ten minutes. The action of changing the hands in fact made the clock six hours slow.

Police received a tip-off as to the identity of the prankster and subsequently arrested and cautioned a 22-year-old man.

Town council chairman Jeanette Helson has said members could decide to take private action.

She told a full council meeting: "The offence was picked up in CCTV at the very instant it happened.

"The councillors will have to decide if they want to take any private action against this individual themselves. We will have to give this further consideration."

PC Caroline Bunt of the pro-active beat team said: "A man was arrested and dealt with after we received information as to who was responsible.

"This should act as a deterrent to everybody as we have a CCTV camera trained on the clock at all times from which we can identify people."

Time delayed - the Rayleigh town clock

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