Barton Seagrave, near Kettering, has had 60 crimes reported in just six months; 39 of the incidents were reports of criminal damage.

Northamptonshire Police said in a statement that the village "does have a problem with anti-social behaviour at the moment, but it is still a safe place to live compared to other places".

Police said a new method of recording crime figures from April of 2002 "has accounted for a general increase in recorded crime of between 18 and 25 percent across the county.

The fact that almost half of this year's increase in crime is attributed to criminal damage and juvenile nuisance is a cause of concern

Northamptonshire Police statement

"We are taking steps to tackle this trend."

Police said one problem area has been Latimer Arts College, which has now approved funding to fence off part of its site.

"The fact that almost half of this year's increase in crime is attributed to criminal damage and juvenile nuisance is a cause of concern", police said.

One officer

Kettering Borough Council scheduled a meeting for residents on Monday night to discuss the problem.

Council spokeswoman Sarah Smith-Petersen said the council has made strides toward decreasing crime, in one instance by putting gates on alleys to remove "escape routes" for fleeing criminals.

Barton Seagrave and nearby Ise Lodge share one community beat officer, but police said the patrol has identified "anti-social hotspots in the area and the officer can call on colleagues to assist when necessary".