The police are closing in on five vandals who have caused thousands of euros worth of damage in Mellieħa.

The vandalism, which has been focused around the Main Street area and neighbouring public gardens, has been systematically going on for the past four to five months, Mellieħa mayor Robert Cutajar told The Sunday Times.

Litter bins have been burnt, garden signs and road signs were taken apart, and a bus stop was extensively damaged. Special lighting fixtures, protected against vandalism, were broken nonetheless with a pointed instrument, Mr Cutajar said.

The vandals eluded the authorities for several weeks until they were identified by a Mellieħa resident who came forward with a description of a "gang of thugs" roaming the locality, the mayor said. The vandals were seen wearing head scarves to conceal their identity.

They were taken in for questioning yesterday, but no charges can be filed as yet because the prime witness is refusing to testify in court.

Mr Cutajar said the vandals are between 17 to 20 years old. Four are believed to be British and one is Maltese.

Mr Cutajar also spoke about an act of vandalism which involved the windscreen of a local council member being shattered. The incident occurred approximately eight weeks ago, at around 2 a.m.

And if that were not enough, garden benches were stolen and traffic mirrors have gone missing.

In an attempt to deter further vandalism, Mr Cutajar said that wardens would be posted at different locations on Saturday nights.

"We want to send out a message that we are keeping a close eye on things," the mayor emphasised, as he appealed to anyone witnessing any acts of vandalism to come forward.