BERE ALSTON residents have declared 'enough is enough' and are fighting back after vandals went on the rampage at the weekend, attacking more than 50 cars and causing £40,000 worth of damage.

A public meeting is being organised to bring together residents and representatives from the police, education and local government in a determined effort not to let the vandals win.

It comes in the wake of an apology issued in a letter to villagers from Tavistock Police who said unfortunately the local officer for Bere Alston was on leave when the incidents happened in the early hours of Saturday morning.

It is believed youths are responsible for the vandalism, which occurred between midnight and 4am. Tyres were slashed and vehicles paintwork scratched.

Now local residents are offering a reward of £100 for information which leads to a prosecution or significantly helps the investigation.

Resident Amanda Lockhart, who had three cars damaged at her property, said everyone was walking around the streets on Saturday morning shaking their heads at what they saw: 'People are angry and frustrated and the elderly are feeling very intimidated and unsafe.

'Over the years there has been lots of vandalism, although not on this level, and people are at the end of their tether.'

Mrs Lockhart, who is helping to co-ordinate the public meeting, said there was a feeling of negativity but it was necessary to turn that around.

She said the majority of young people living in Bere Alston were 'smashing' and the village was a lovely place, which did not deserve a reputation for crime.

'If there is anything good to come out of the weekend's events it was how everyone has pulled together and supported each other,' she said.

'If we stand together with the police, local councillors and youth workers we might be able to get some CCTV or a community project going. We cannot let the vandals win.'

Police believe someone in the village must have seen something suspicious in the early hours of Saturday and are urging people to come forward.

Neighbourhood team leader for Tavistock police Dave Anning said there were lots of rumours flying around but police needed evidence: 'Rumour is not good enough. We need people to come forward to make statements.

'If anyone saw somebody doing something rather than just hanging around, we need them to come forward with hard and fast details.'

He said six officers each day were working on the investigation. Feelings were running high in the village and officers had taken quite 'a lot of flack' from residents but he could understand the anger at the damage that had been caused.

'Someone in the village must know something. We have an awful lot of very upset people here but we cannot doing anything without the public's help.'

In a letter to residents reiterating these points Sgt Anning also said: 'I would like to offer an apology for the fact that we, your local police, did not detect any of these crimes on the night. Unfortunately, your local officer, PC Graham Callender, was on leave when this happened.'

PC Callender had returned to work this week and would be joining the effort to arrest and charge whoever was responsible, he added.

Sgt Anning said he believed there were several people involved in the crimes. A number of sharp implements had been taken away for forensic examination.

Anyone with information should call police on 08452 777444 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.