POLICE in Ludg-ershall and Tidworth have promised to use a specially-equipped video van in the battle to beat anti-social behaviour by youths in the two communities.

The area's new section commander, Sgt Michael Wood, told members of Ludger-shall Parish Council that he was keen for the video van - which is based at Marlborough police station - to go on patrol there and film those out and about.

"It is not a secret weapon - everybody can tell they are being videoed and it does work at night," he said.

"People who are up to no good will know they have been videoed.

"When a member of the public, for example, says they saw a lad wearing a red do something then we may have them on video from earlier in the evening."

Councillor John Newman told the newly-appointed commander that the situation was particularly bad during the long, hot summer evenings.

"We have two particular hot spots - outside the shops in Andover Road and at the Rec off Dewey's Lane," he said.

He wanted more police presence late at night when the vandalism occurs.

Sgt Wood said he was a firm believer in police being seen on the beat around the community.

He added that the video evidence could also be used to confront parents of youngsters who caused trouble in the community rather than taking the normal due process of law.