Creswick ward councillor Don Henderson raised the matter at the Hepburn Shire Council’s first meeting for the year last week, stating “some call it vandalism but (it) is premeditated and intentional and therefore criminal behaviour”.

Creswick resident Dianne Wilson said the petty crimes were common around the reserve.  

“Trees which had been planted in order to make the road look picturesque were sawn off and broken by an individual or individuals who represent the typical mindless behavior which is prevalent in this area,” Ms Wilson said.  

“These events occur on a regular basis in particular on a Friday and or Saturday night.”

In late 2016 a petition featuring almost 200 signatures was compiled asking for better street lighting and CCTV at the reserve, which is home to the Creswick football and soccer clubs as well as the bowls club.

Residents of Creswick also had a meeting with police in June to voice their concerns, with around 100 attendees.

Sergent Dean Towk said while the issue had been brought to their attention, no official reports had been lodged by the council. 

He said there was little police could do unless eye witnesses came forward. 

Residents of the town had also expressed anger in December when vandals damaged the town’s brand new splash park days after its installation and before its official opening.  In that instance a control button was broken, rendering the slash park useless.  

Earlier in the year Liberal member for Ripon Louise Staley called for 24-hour police presence in Creswick.  Currently police are required to come from Bacchus Marsh when the town’s station is unmanned. 

Hepburn Shire mayor Sebastian Klein said police had been frustrated by crime in the region as it was hard to know if locals or people from out of town were responsible. 

“It’s hard to tell (if the vandalism) is connected in any way and police have difficulty being there all the time,” Cr Klein said.