EARLIER closing of the car park behind the Co-op in Brook Street, Tavistock and limiting the number of exits is expected to help deter vandalism, it has been confirmed.

Police have been working with owners of the car park West Devon Borough Council, and the Co-op, to look at ways of dealing with anti social behaviour at the hotspot which has been the subject of graffiti and various other unsavoury activities including trolleys being thrown from the balcony of an upstairs storey.

One of the three openings to the car park has been closed off at Old Exeter Road and the car park opening hours have changed from 6.30am to 9pm to 7am to 8pm.

Co-op store manager Dawn Harrison said the police had been carrying out regular patrols in that area and things had improved since Christmas.

‘We had too many exits really making it easier for people to cause trouble and get out quickly. We hope the changes in the time the car park is open and one exit being shut off will hopefully help to eliminate the problems.’

Police said there had been a ‘dramatic’ decrease in anti social behaviour since officers had been conducting daily patrols and these would continue throughout the half term period.

A spokesperson for West Devon Borough Council, said the car park times coincided with Co-op’s new trading hours.

‘The closure of the car park door was on the advice from Tavistock Police, following a series of ongoing anti-social behaviour incidents,’ they said. ‘We continue to review this situation with our partners. At this time, this is not a permanent closure.’