THE number of reported incidents of criminal damage in Nailsea almost doubled this summer, latest police statistics reveal

THE number of reported incidents of criminal damage in Nailsea almost doubled this summer, latest police statistics reveal.But the senior officer responsible for policing in the town says there is 'no evidence' of an ongoing trend. During July and August last year, police officers received 19 reports of criminal damage in Nailsea.This year, during the same two-month period, the number had almost doubled, rising to 34.At a recent meeting of Nailsea Local Action Team (LAT), PC Roger Watts said that this year's incidents included smashed windows and damage to motor vehicles.He said there was 'no reason' why the number of incidents had gone up, but described the increase as 'huge' and said the police were 'concerned' about it.John Hunter, the LAT's chairman, asked what residents could do to help reduce the trend.PC Watts said: "Motorists should park in a garage and make sure they take everything out of their vehicles."Speaking to the North Somerset Times after the meeting, Inspector Steve Date said: "The 34 incidents of criminal damage in Nailsea reported in July and August include a variety of things, such as damage to the wing mirror of a car, trees ripped up in Millennium Park, the side window of a vehicle being broken, a smashed plant pot and bin fires."There is nothing in the more recent figures for September to suggest an ongoing trend."In fact, the previous two months, compared to last year, show a decrease in incidents of criminal damage from 30 to 10."Apart from that, the number of burglaries, incidents of car crime and assaults was down.""The incidents in July and August were the result of antisocial behaviour linked to drunkenness."We are continuing to target the problem of under-age drinking.