CAMELFORD Town Council is to proceed with civil action following vandalism at Market Place.

At the September 6 meeting of the council, members were told that the clerk had written to parents of the children believed to have caused the damage, but nothing had been heard from the majority.

Clerk, Esther Greig, said she had received a telephone call from one parent, who said he would be happy to pay, but he would rather his child carry out community service as a punishment. Nothing had been heard from the other three parents.

Cllr Andy Shaw said: “We should take them to court for the damage. That has been the policy for 30 years.”

Cllr Emma Grigg said that was what the council agreed, adding that it would be difficult to police community service.

Cllr Rob Rotchell noted that the council did not have a list of jobs for a child, and added: “I think we have been extraordinarily lenient of how this has been dealt with. Our request was very reasonable.

“We’ll revert to our original policy — if there’s damage to council property, we will prosecute.”

Cllr Shaw proposed and Cllr Grigg seconded that the council proceed with civil action.

Cllr Grigg said: “We have to show a bit of a stand on this because of the skate park.”

All councillors voted in favour.