Vandalism is reaching "epidemic" proportions on the edge of Clacton town centre.

A church, a theatre and a doctor's surgery have been among the targets

Stained glass windows have been smashed, walls kicked down, billboards damaged, flowers uprooted and in the latest incident, theatre props, including body parts for the musical Frankenstein, have been stolen while the cast was rehearsing.

The St James' area of Clacton, which is on the doorstep of the town's police station, has seen an escalation of problems in the last few weeks and residents say they are verbally abused if they challenge youngsters.

Police say they are aware of the problems and have received increased reports about vandalsim in the Beatrice Road, Ellis Road and Tower Road area over the last few weeks.

They report that urgent steps are being taken to try to alleviate the problem.

Mike Bareham, administrator of the West Cliff Theatre, said the final straw came on Sunday when the theatre had 40 young people rehearsing with the West Cliff Stage Foundation for their production of Frankenstein.

He said the next thing the producers knew was a group of boys were being chased out of the theatre carrying body part props for the show.

Mr Bareham said the telephone kiosk near the theatre was always being smashed and as soon as it was repaired, it was vandalised again.

The adjacent St James' Church has been landed with bills for nearly £1,500 after three stained glass windows and five small toilet windows have been smashed in the last six months.

Just around the corner at the St James doctor's surgery in Wash Lane, there have been more problems.The fences have been kicked in, the brick wall damaged, the side gate broken and lights smashed.

Published Tuesday, March 26, 2002