Security guard to combat vandals?

UNDER-AGE drinkers are becoming a nuisance in Cheddar, sparking councillors to consider investing in a security guard. Vandalism at the Pavilion has become so bad that councillors held a special meeting at the sports ground near Church Street, to discuss ways to tackle the problem. Members of Cheddar Parish Council's Policy and Resources Committee said they were concerned about under-age drinking and the younger children, including girls, whose parents are unaware where their youngsters are meeting. Police officers have stepped up patrols in the area but say they are finding it difficult to catch the culprits. PC Ian Bartlett said: "If they are not hanging around the Pavilion they move on somewhere else. We have found broken bottles lying around. The kids get drunk and then cause damage to the buildings. "We are aware of two young individuals who are not under-age who go down there. They attract the younger kids who are easily influenced and we believe they might be buying the alcohol for them."After meeting with representatives of sports clubs which use the ground, including Cheddar Junior Football Club, Cheddar Tennis Club and Cheddar Cricket Club, councillors agreed security measures need to be stepped up. External roller-shutters, lighting, cameras and a security guard were all suggested as ways of combating the persistent problem. Councillors also discussed using a sticky paint that would stay wet and mark the clothes of people who went near it, to stop youths climbing on the roof. PC Bartlett added: "The problems occur at night, weekends and when the children are on school holidays. "For the village, the kids are becoming a real annoyance but they should be aware that we will be dealing with all the culprits.