HEALTH chiefs are waging war on vandals who are wrecking Soham Health Centre. Hooligans have smashed windows and roof lights, emptied bins and set fire to rubbish, and daubed the building with graffiti, leaving East Cambridgeshire and Fenland Primary Care

HEALTH chiefs are waging war on vandals who are wrecking Soham Health Centre.

Hooligans have smashed windows and roof lights, emptied bins and set fire to rubbish, and daubed the building with graffiti, leaving East Cambridgeshire and Fenland Primary Care Trust to pick up the bill.

Now after four years of vandalism and anti-social behaviour, the PCT has warned it has had enough and is working closely with the police to stamp out the problem.

Director of integrated services, Catherine Mitchell, said: "Over the last few years the PCT has taken measures to try to address persistent acts of vandalism and incidents at the centre. We will no longer tolerate this anti-social behaviour and are working closely with our local neighbourhood policing team to implement further methods of prevention."

The PCT has also registered as a member of E-Cops, which gives direct internet access to the Soham Neighbourhood Police Team and provides updates on crime information, community news and policing activities in the area via a regular email bulletin.

E-Cops is being promoted at the centre and patients are being encouraged to register with the scheme.

By taking part in the scheme and notifying the police of any incident witnessed at the centre, the PCT is confident that residents will be able to help the police gather enough evidence to support further action.

Soham Community Beat Managers, Pc Anna Day and Pc Andy Day said in a statement: "We are aware of the increasing number of problems in the area of the Soham Health Centre.

"As the local officers for the area we shall be conducting additional patrols. Due to the damage which has been caused, any persons seen to be causing problems or acting in an anti-social manner will be dealt with firmly.

"We are currently working closely with the health centre staff to put a stop to the problems. We would appeal to members of the Soham community to report any incidents of concern in the area."

INFO: Anyone with any information can contact Ely police on 0845 456 4564.