A GROUP of teenage girls are to blame for the recent spates of vandalism in Wellington, according to police.

Almost every weekend for the past few months, residents living near the town centre have awakened to find chaos.

Flowers have been ripped out of pots and beds, bin bags have been ripped open and strewn across the streets, signs have been damaged, graffiti has been sprayed around the town and industrial washing-up liquid was even poured in the Wellington Park fountain.

Speaking to Wellington Town Council, Sgt Richard Caburn said "The summer is always the worst time for anti-social behaviour as it is the school holidays and long summer nights."

Anyone with an incident to report should contact 999 in an emergency or 0845 4567000 at all other times.