The newly formed council elected its new chairman and vice chairman and received the police report.

A total of three crimes were recorded in West Hill last month as the newly formed parish council met for its inaugural meeting.

PCSO Maria Clapp told the meeting last Tuesday that crime was up by one from the same period last year.

She said there was one incident of offensive and abusive messages sent by text, intention to cause alarm and distress and a theft from a vehicle.

She warned members of the public not to leave items in their cars after thieves smashed a window and stole a bag from under the front passenger seat in Prickly Pear car park.

PCSO Clapp said: The amount of times we say don’t leave things in cars because they must be watching in the hedges because its always in a short space of time.

“We do patrols but do be mindful don’t leave anything, don’t put it in the boot because they could be watching you.”

It was the first meeting of the new councillors who were elected uncontested earlier this month.

The new council is made up of Dr Margaret Hall, Dr Christopher Hall, Alan Cook, Jessica Bailey and Jo Talbot,

Councillors Margaret Hall and Jo Talbot were elected chairman and vice-chairman.

The council will be advertising to co-opt two new councillors to fill its remaining vacancies.