A CALL has been issued in Dursley and Cam for people to ensure they report crimes to the police.

This comes after a week in which there appears to have been a spate of vandalism involving the placement of nails behind parked car tyres – which are then punctured when the driver sets off.

Dursley town councillor Matt Nicholson has urged residents to “help police out” adding that “they aren’t psychic.”

This was supported by a police spokesman, who urged members of the public to get in touch.

“The incidents in the past week have worried me and worried a lot of people,” said Cllr Nicholson.

“There seems to have been incidents all over the town, but when I contacted the police I was told that only one had been reported.

“People have got to call 101 or 999 – depending on the crime – police are not psychic.

“Sometimes people say there isn’t any point calling the police, and complain that they aren’t doing anything, but they can’t unless it is reported.

“They need people to help, they are increasingly stretched due to funding pressures from central government and we have to give them a hand.

“In the coming weeks Dursley Town Council will be leading a multi-agency meeting to discuss the series of anti-social behaviour that we have had in the past few months and we will be setting a date soon.

“Without information from the public, they don’t have a clue what crimes are happening, unless they miraculously happen to be in the area and see it.

“The police are doing a very good job but the public needs to help, and report crimes like this.”

Incidents have been noted on Woodfield Road, Larkrise and Manor Avenue in Cam, along with Oak Drive, Acacia Drive, St Georges Road and May Lane in Dursley.

Only two cases have been reported to the police.

A spokesman told the Gazette: “Two incidents have been reported to police – the first happened in Uley Road between 10pm on 11 October and 8.30am on October 12.

“An unknown offender deliberately put screws in the rear tyres of a Ford Focus.

“The second involved a car parked outside a house in St Georges Road.

“This time nails were placed in the tyres of a Land Rover Freelander parked outside a house.

“We are aware other people have been posting messages on social media saying they have been victims and we would urge those people to call police to report the incidents.”

Anyone with information on these crimes is urged to call the police 101 and quote incident 378 of October 12.