CASES of criminal damage at council properties in Wrexham have racked up repair costs of more than £220,000 in recent years, according to figures.

Freedom of Information data obtained by the Leader shows the total number of repair jobs incurred due to criminal damage concerning Wrexham Council's housing stock each from 2015 to December 20 last year.

Over that period of time, 1,810 jobs were undertaken, at a total cost of £171,156.

The year with the highest number of jobs was 2015, at 473. But the year with the highest cost was 2018, with more than £50,000 worth of repairs needed.

According to the council the repairs smashed windows (including boarding up to make safe and re-glaze), lock changes, replacement UPVC panels to doors and also damage to garage doors including lock changes.

A Wrexham Council spokesman explained: "Whenever there is criminal damage involving council stock or council assets the authority is robust in recovering the costs through its recharge policy and taking appropriate action in partnership with North Wales Police on those individuals who we are able to identify as responsible."

The data also covers the value of criminal damage caused to corporate buildings - which are all other premises owned by the council.

From 2015 to December 2019, the total cost of repairing damages to these buildings was £50,328.

But the data shows how the annual cost of these damages increased every year - from £1,821 in 2015 to £4,501 in 2016 and then £8,061 in 2017. The costs continue to escalate to £11,390 in 2018 and then to a staggering £24,555 in 2019.

Regarding the corporate building damages, the council spokesman added: "Two derelict properties had roof repairs and window board ups due to break ins and one primary school had roof repairs following lead theft."