A SPATE of thefts and car damage in Moreton has left residents and businesses concerned.

Recent incidents including burglaries, vandalism and thefts at the Tuesday market have left some people worried they could be targeted.

The business of Lewis Dyer, who owns the Garage in Hospital Road, was raided in April, and his van was stolen earlier this month.

Luckily, Mr Dyer, aged 24, had a tracker inside the van and it was later recovered, but he said both incidents had left him feeling concerned.

“Moreton never used to be like it,” he said. “It must be someone or some people who are fairly new to the area.

"We haven’t got any cameras in Moreton or any police around, and people know that.

“I think that’s one of the reasons why they are doing it and why they get away with it.”

Another business owner, who did not want to be named for fear of reprisals, said she was concerned about the lack of CCTV and a police station.

Criminals were getting away with it, she said.

The woman, who herself has been a victim of crime, said: “My daughter’s car wasbroken into and a valuable stereo was taken.

"We had another incident where a lady had her purse stolen, she was on a coach trip and it had all her holiday money in. I know there’s several cars that have been keyed.

“We’re on the main Fosseway, we link Bristol and Leicester. We’re a sitting target here they can be in and out and gone so quickly, it’s just disgusting.”

The woman said she understood the police were stretched but felt this was part of the problem.

“You don’t get foot patrols around here,” she said.

“That’s what we’re lacking. They are just opportunistic and they’ve nothing to fear. Nobody can look back on CCTV.

“I think a lot of people are concerned about the level of crime in the town. I don’t think a lot of people rest easy. There are gangs of lads that hang around at night time and they’ve nothing to fear.”

A spokesman for Gloucestershire Police said: “We can assure the community the current figures compared with the same period last year show no rise in crime.

“Of course we continually monitor the crime data for all our communities and where we identify crime spikes we look to work with the community to address such rises.

“At times there will be temporary ‘spikes’ as was reflected last weekend, however, positive action was taken and this did result in a number of offenders being arrested.

“Crime trends continue to be seasonal in nature and can be influenced by a number of things, for example longer evenings which as a consequence mean more people being out and about in summer weather.

“Finally we always engage and work with the community to address issues and ensure that Moreton remains a low crime area, with minimal anti-social behaviour “.

The issue of CCTV was brought up at this month’s town council meeting after a resident complained their car has been damaged.

Members decided no action would be taken but it would monitor the situation.