A parish council says yobbish behaviour and vandalism in its village has now reached disgusting levels.

Parish councillors in Coggeshall say they are fighting a constant battle with anti-social behaviour and are encouraging residents to contact the police and report any crimes.

Litter bins on the recreation ground,in East Street, have been set alight and residents with houses backing on to the ground have been the victims of youths taking excrement out of the dog waste bins and throwing it into their gardens and at their houses, according to the parish council.

The latest incident happened when yobs vandalised a bench, dedicated to the happy memories of a loving mother and grandmother, Gwen McBeth, in the memorial gardens in Church Street, causing £200 of damage.

Parish clerk David Warren said: "It is absolutely disgusting that this should happen to anybody. "One resident had a bag from the dog waste bin thrown at a first-floor window and it caused a horrific mess.

"We do not know who these people are but we are encouraging people to contact the police to help stamp this out."

Information to Witham police on 01376 501212

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Published Monday, September 12, 2005

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