Colchester could fall under mob rule because of a lack of proper police funding, mayor Martin Hunt warned.

Prettygate suffered another vandal attack on Thursday night when church windows were broken.

Mr Hunt, a councillor for the ward, said on Friday: "People in this town are sick to death of marauding groups of young yobbos causing trouble, distress and fear."

He said he fully supported local police and Colchester superintendent Julian Field.

"I don't blame the officers and I don't blame Supt Field. But at county and government level someone has got to realise that if police resources are continually downgraded then we are going to get to the stage of mob rule in Colchester," he said.

"There used to be active neighbourhood watch schemes and a system of specials and other officers out on the beat but I don't see them any more."

Mr Hunt's broadside comes after Prettygate Baptist Church, on Prettygate Road, had two windows broken by youths suspected of using a catapult.

It is the third time windows have been broken in a fortnight. Deacon Philip Wade said repairs will cost several hundred pounds. Mr Wade added that extra precautions were being taken to safeguard the church.

On Wednesday night, youths threw a burning bag of rubbish on to the roof of the library in Prettygate Road and earlier in the week windows were smashed at a house in Landseer Road.

Vandals have repeatedly attacked the United Reformed Church in Plume Avenue where a creche meets.

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