The police are usually caught between a rock and a hard place, because they often seem to lack the resources to tackle problems to their own satisfaction.

It is no secret that, notwithstanding promises from the Prime Minister for more police and police funding, the thin blue line has been getting a little too thin in recent years, because of swingeing cuts, nationally.

However, it’s a pleasure to note that West Merica police have responded promptly and efficiently and to the stone throwing incidents from the town trail bridge, over the Hereford Road.

Temporary surveillance has been installed and there’s a police sign warning that the culprits will be seen, identified and caught.

While CCTV is not always the answer to problems of vandalism and anti-social behaviour, in this case it appears to have worked.

No further incidents have been reported, and while the end of the school holidays may also have played a part in the apparent cessation of the stone throwing from the bridge, there is no doubt that the seed of doubt must have been sown in the minds of those who were responsible for those incidents.

If the police are confident in the CCTV they have installed, only a fool would put the system to the test. Those incidents needed to be nipped on the bud, because the stone throwing was a danger to motorists, life and limb. What is more puzzling is the reason for the incidents. If young people were to blame, perhaps the town should do more to keep holiday boredom at bay?