POLICE are urging Downley residents to join a neighbourhood watch scheme to fight theft, under-age drinking and vandalism.

POLICE are urging Downley residents to join a neighbourhood watch scheme to fight theft, under-age drinking and vandalism.

PC Learie Bacchus, a Downley beat officer, said: 'We appreciate that people are scared, but they must contact us if an incident occurs. The community needs to join a neighbourhood watch scheme. If we all pull together we can solve the situation.'

Wycombe District Council is hoping to build a shelter for youngsters, behind St James' Church, to stop them congregating on the street.

Wycombe district councillor Richard Pushman (Con, Naphill cum Bradenham) said: 'We recognise this problem has been going on for over a year, and we realise that youngsters have nowhere to go and so they cause trouble.'

Contact the Neighbourhood Watch on (01494) 686128