PARISH councillors are calling for an emergency meeting with police after residents complained that crime in Bourne End is escalating.

Cllr John Dalton, vice-chairman of Wooburn Parish Council, said residents had expressed concerns over the number of bobbies on the beat in the area, following a spate of crimes in and around Wakeman Road.

He said high-profile places, such as the library and community centre, have been targeted by vandals over the last few months.

Cllr Dalton told the Free Press: 'The idea is to invite a senior member of Thames Valley Police to make a presentation and for residents to get their points out and get reassurance.

Freda Ackroyd, librarian at Bourne End, said: 'Things are escalating and really it's a case of trying to see what we can do before it gets any worse.'

Mrs Ackroyd told the Free Press some of the windows had been smashed at the library.

She added: 'Everybody is trying to get together because we need to start somewhere.'

PC Barry Feltwell, who patrols Bourne End, said there had been an increase in complaints about crime in the village.

He said: 'Over the last couple of months a number of youths have been arrested for offences of criminal damage in Bourne End and have been dealt with.'

PC Feltwell said, in response to claims that crime was escalating in Bourne End: 'If members of the public are now starting to report it then obviously you are going to get an increase.

'The village bobby's policy is that anyone committing criminal damage will be dealt with in a similar way.'

The date of the meeting is still being set, but is likely to be in September.