PENRITH Town Council has discussed a recent spate of 'escalating' vandalism and anti-social behaviour within the town. 

The council has come to discuss the matter after noticing more vandalism at bus shelters, the town bandstand, offices, the Coronation Garden, as well as sports clubs in the area. 

A key concern is that some of the graffiti has been racist in nature.

The council has also indicated an increase in anti-social behaviour in an area for dogwalkers, Thacka Beck behind Pategill, in which youths have been using motorbikes and mopeds. 

Penrith Town Clerk, Viv Tunnadine, said: "We've had a discussion about it on Monday at full council about seeing what we can do to try prevent it. 

"From our perspective, we will work with our partners, stakeholders and local police to clear the damage and work to resolve the problems and see what we can do in the community to help the problem," she said. 

Ms Tunnadine pointed out how horrendous it was to see that the Coronation Garden had been graffitied, as it's very much a community project run by volunteers.

The vandalism has also been found at Penrith Cricket Club. Members and staff at the Tynefield Park site recently arrived to see that boulders had smashed through their outdoor seating area alongside damage to one of the premise windows, suggesting that someone may have tried to commit an act of burglary on July 7.

Penrith Football Club also had their ride on lawn-mower stolen last year, which was crashed into a post in the town and was eventually abandoned. 

A spokesperson from Cumbria Police said: "We urge anyone who witnesses vandalism, criminal damage or any other antisocial behaviour to report it immediately.

"People can report online at www.cumbria.police.uk/reportit. They can also phone on 101.

"Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

"Always 999 in an emergency and where a crime is in progress," they said.

READ MORE: Penrith Cricket Club 'devastated' after mindless vandalism and suspected burglary