THERE have been further reports of anti-social behaviour at a beauty spot in Dog Hill Wood, two months after the town council, which owns the wood, discussed installing CCTV cameras there.

Cameras are still not in place, but the problems apparently continue, with councillors at last week's full town council meeting hearing how vandals have been ripping up the waste bin at the so-called "Cricket Pitch" clearing in the wood, and hurling it in the direction of houses at the base of the hill.

At least one letter of concern has been posted by a local resident, and now the town council has voted to replace the present bin with an "anti-vandal' bin, which will cost over £400.

Speaking at last week's meeting, in the community hall, the chairman of the town's environmental and leisure committee, Cllr Tony Bradford said: "It's a lot of money, but this is necessary. The vandals have been removing the bin we have there and chucking it at houses, to the residents' great distress.

"The new bin will be set in concrete."

It will also be heavy duty, being made of steel.

In late summer there were reports of bottles being thrown onto roofs from Dog Hill Wood, and town councillor met with local householders and police, in a bid to sort the problems out.

Councillors have considered installing CCTV cameras in the wood. Two quotes have now come in, but the council is seeking a third, to broaden the choice.

One local resident, in a letter to the town council, said the effect of objects being thrown from Dog Hill Wood was "really intimidating and potentially really dangerous".

The town council is keen for The Cricket Pitch to be used as a community picnic area, but a picnic bench installed there was recently set on fire by vandals.

Cllr Martin Eager, a member of the town's environment and leisure committee, said the burnt bench was another problem to sort out.

He said of the Cricket Pitch clearing: "It's a well-used area, with only a small group of people causing the problems."

He added that, to his knowledge, the hurled litter bin had not struck any buildings.