£12,500 bill for vandals' damage

VANDALISM is costing the tax payers of Hailsham thousands of pounds each year.

According to a new report produced by the town clerk, the cost of repairing damaged items between January and August this year has amounted to 12,500.

Play equipment, public benches, bins, flower tubs and trees are among the things most commonly attacked by vandals all over the town.

Cllr Nigel Coltman said this week: 'I think it's terribly sad that we have a small group of people who destroy all the nice things in Hailsham, which then have to be repaired with rate payers' money.'

Cllr Nick Ellwood added: 'This figure clearly demonstrates the bad police cover in Hailsham. I strongly believe that the forthcoming street wardens will reduce the level of vandalism in the town and reduce the amount we will have to spend on repairs every year.'