Community wardens may be employed to help over-stretched police combat vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

In the latest of a spate of incidents in the Didcot Market Place area, shrubs were ripped out of planting areas around trees at the back of the Co-op supermarket.

Insp Chris Parker, of Didcot police, has discussed with the town council a community safety strategy for the town.

Details of measures have not yet been publicised, but councillor Mike McNulty said the town council was writing to the Home Office to apply for funding to employ community wardens similar to schemes being piloted in other towns.

"Problems in Didcot extend to various parts of the town," he said.

"Community wardens could be employed by the council to patrol different areas of the town, and liaise with residents, police and the council to deal with each situation when it crops up."

He said policing was not the responsibility of the council.

But because of limited police resources, the council is looking at various options to help combat problems.

Householder Rex Thatcher said he picked up 25 viburnum shrubs thrown on to his front lawn in King Alfred Drive -- after they were planted by council contractors only a fortnight ago.

"I don't know how much they will cost council taxpayers," said Mr Thatcher.

"I imagine they would be £5 or £6 each at a garden centre."

Mr Thatcher and neighbours said there were constant problems at the rear of the Co-op where hooligans and vandals used supermarket trolleys and bread trolleys to cause a nuisance. Residents in Edinburgh Drive and King Alfred Drive have had to repair front garden walls kicked over by drunken hooligans after a pub closing time.

Fifteen garden walls are being rebuilt or awaiting repair.

Windows have been smashed at the Civic Hall, and vandals have caused thousands of pounds of damage to a wall alongside Broadway Gardens.

People living near Ladygrove Country Park have complained about young drivers using the car park as a race track in the evenings, as well as playing loud music and using bad language.

Damage to children's play areas in Didcot parks is also escalating, costing the council thousands of pounds.