Their appeal comes amid concerns that some folk are reluctant to contact police about problems for fear of repercussions.

Speaking at a parish council meeting last week, Coun David Benham said troublemakers had set fire to equipment in a playground –– but claimed locals had just ignored it, rather than reporting it.

He said: "It has not been reported because they don't want repercussions. We may need to get closer to the PCSOs so we can have some dialogue with them. How do we encourage people to report incidents on a regular basis?"

Other incidents in the village which had been reported in recent weeks included an individual threatening to stab a German Shepherd dog and another where youngsters 'tormented' elderly people by knocking on their doors.

Coun Les Ward said: "I think the police need to be more robust in their response to this. We have spoken before about the drugs problem in this village, which apparently is worse than Ollerton has had it."

At the meeting, members also considered bringing back a 'dispersal order' for the village –– which would give police powers to disperse groups of more than two.

The council will also look into introducing a Designated Public Place Order, which would allow police to take alcohol from drinkers of any age who are causing a nuisance.