A HAMPSHIRE town is planning to spend thousands of pounds on upgrading its CCTV system after a spate of vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

Members of the town council’s policy and resources committee have agreed the authority should fund new equipment following dozens of incidents.

Woodside Pavillion and Lymington Recreation Ground have been targeted several times in the past 12 months.

Earlier this year hooligans were accused of putting lives at risk by damaging a cabinet containing a defibrillator at the recently-refurbished pavilion.

The device was undamaged, despite being hurled to the ground, but could not be used until a new cabinet had been attached to the wall.

In other incidents a children’s trampoline was set alight and the roof of a playhouse torn off. Expensive maintenance equipment was stolen from a storage depot at Woodside Gardens.

The proposed new security equipment is expected to cost about £7,000.

Cllr Alan Penson cited what he described as “incessant damage and persistent anti-social behaviour”.

He added: “The town clerk is advising that we upgrade the CCTV cameras so we can obtain better quality images and make the information available to others.

“It’s a real shame we are having to spend this money but it’s costing the council thousands and our insurance premiums are rising, so we have to do something.”

The latest incident once again involved Woodside Pavilion, which is run by Lymington Sports Association (LSA).

A large group of teenagers, both male and female, are thought to have targeted the building between 7.40pm and 8.50pm last Saturday.

The vandalism resulted in damage to roof tiles and window roller-shutters. A large wooden picnic table was destroyed and metal chairs thrown around the park.

A town council spokesman said: “It all involved a cost to the public purse and in this incidence the LSA as well as being soul-destroying for the volunteers from the charity.”

Anyone with information should call Hampshire Constabulary on 101, quoting crime reference number 44180227231.