CALLS have been made for CCTV cameras to be installed in Priory Park in order to combat anti-social behaviour after a damaging attack by vandals.

A group of youths has been blamed for ripping up fence posts and throwing them, along with bottles, into a park pond.

Joan Gale, of Church Street, Malvern, said she also spotted the group trying to kick the ducks in Priory Park. She has now called on the district council to install CCTV cameras in the park to tackle the problem.

She said: “They pulled a lot of the fence posts out. They kicked them until they snapped and threw them into the water.

“It does spoil what is a scenic place. I’m quite into history and it’s one of the only original places left in Malvern. Everything else has been built on or rebuilt.

“It used to be a lovely place but a lot of people are avoiding these places now - like Victoria Park has a reputation for broken glass and youths hanging around.”

The attack took place over the half-term holiday and Miss Gale, who regularly feeds the ducks in the park with her partner, said some of the youths tried to kick the ducks on two nights last week.

She added: “For a couple of days the ducks wouldn’t come anywhere near us.

“We think they were terrified for two or three days on the trot.”

Miss Gale said she saw the teenagers throwing alcohol bottles into the pond on Wednesday and Thursday night last week.

She discovered that the fence had been damaged on Thursday evening, when she also spoke to police officers who told her that the youngsters were from Worcester.

The 27-year-old said: “I’m aware it’s not the crime of the century on the police’s scale of importance. But I think some CCTV would help.

“A lot of kids would think ‘we better not because we will be in trouble’.”

Malvern Theatres, which backs onto the park, said it would support council action against the youths.

Nic Lloyd, Malvern Theatres chief executive, said: “We would support any decision made by the council in the aim to stop anti-social behaviour in Priory Park, where the actions of a small few ruins the enjoyment of our beautiful surroundings for everyone else.”

Amanda Smith, community services manager for Malvern Hills District Council, said: “We received one report regarding anti-social behaviour in the park last Wednesday (30 May) and the matter was reported to the police to investigate.

"We will of course monitor the situation but this appears to be an isolated incident. The vast majority of people who use Priory Park use it responsibly and we’re not going to let the irresponsible behaviour of a small number of individuals ruin it for every one else.

"If anyone witnesses anti-social behaviour I’d urge them to report it to the police by calling 101.”

West Mercia Police was unavailable for comment.