Ore community centre targeted during lockdown

In the latest incident at the Ore community centre, a large amount of rubbish was dumped in the car park

Jacqui Stanford said the charity has seen the 'worst in people' during the lockdown due to Covid-19.

She said the centre's list of crime numbers 'reads like a telephone book' and includes incidents of break-ins, theft of money, stolen paperwork, graffiti, and a landline ripped off the front of the building.

Staff at the centre have also reportedly suffered abuse and nuisance phone calls.

The latest in the long line of incidents was fly tipping of a builder's rubble in the community centre's car park on May 22. This incident has been reported to Environmental Health.

Acting manager Jacqui Stanford said: “It is all very sad that this should happen to a wonderful charity that is trying to provide a service for the local community and whilst they regularly have unauthorised vehicles using their car park during lock-down they have not enforced the parking as the centre is closed, however it was sad to see this latest selfish act that means yet more expense for this charity to have to bear.

"This, along with a broken manhole cover, and damage to the centre’s fence adds up to huge expense that the centre will have to bear.

"The police have been informed and we are hoping that the fly tipping has been caught on CCTV and we will expect a prosecution of the selfish culprit.

"We are very lucky with the police support we get and recently they awarded us £500 to install some CCTV. Together with Hastings Borough Council who removed the graffiti for us we are well-served by both organisations. We remain steadfast and ready to serve the community once lockdown is lifted and are very much looking to the future with enthusiasm.”

Anyone with information has been asked to contact the police.