VANDALS have been wreaking havoc outside a primary school in Yate.

Over the Christmas period a "huge amount" of vandalism was caused outside St Mary's Primary School, Church Road.

Yate Town Council is well aware of the problems around the school, in Templar Road, directly behind the school, and within St Mary's play area. A council officer has been visiting the area every day during the past few weeks to check on the situation and any damage caused.

Police in Chipping Sodbury are taking the problems, caused predominantly by youngsters who meet at the play area, so seriously they have task-forced officers to patrol the park.

The play area has been highlighted as a priority for police for two weeks ending on Wednesday.

Sgt Andy McIlrath said: "Police officers are dealing with the anti-social behaviour of kids down there. They have been asked to take down the names and addresses of youths and any alcohol found will be seized. Letters are being sent to parents advising them that their child was in that location. In fact, I have sent out seven letters in one day this week."

Sgt McIlrath said problems had arisen when groups of up to 50 youths gathered at the play area.

He said: "Their behaviour is often fuelled by alcohol and they can be a general nuisance - it is the noise and disruption they cause and the litter they leave behind.

"Certainly if any criminal offences are committed, positive action will be taken and any individuals responsible will be arrested."

Sgt McIlrath said, however, that the play area was this year's most popular meeting place for schoolchildren but stressed that every year youngsters moved around.

He said: "Last year they were all gathering at Lilliput Park and the year before it was at Abbotswood.

"Undoubtedly they will begin to feel hassled by our presence and will go somewhere else."

He said the majority of the teenagers were not committing any offences but said he understood the concerns of residents in the area.

Yate Town Council received numerous phone calls from residents living around the school in one weekend.

However, the council is urging residents to complain to police directly.

Clerk Susan Tubey said: "We have had two or three letters of complaint from residents about the huge amount of vandalism caused but police have stressed the need to call them."