POLICE have been upping their presence in the area around a Weston church where there have recently been report of thefts and vandalism.

A post on social media says a Police Community Support Officer has been carrying out "high visibility foot patrols in the area" around St Augustine's Church, in Locking.

The Facebook post on the North Somerset Neighbrouhood Policing team's page says: "Following recent reports of thefts and vandalism around St Augustine's Church, Locking, Weston-Super-Mare, PCSO Steve Hemmett has been conducting high visibility foot patrols in the area."

Julie Wingrove is pleased to hear the news and posted in response: "Good. This last year has been horrendous with mindless vandalism, the planters being vandalised, cars being keyed, windows on vehicles smashed and traffic mirrors broken and removed.

"For a small village with a population consisting of mostly older people, no doubt it's a handful of bored teenagers."