Residents rally against vandals

PEOPLE on a Bexhill estate have shown remarkable community spirit after vandals with spray paint cans daubed homes and cars last Thursday night.

Plagued by similar incidents of anti-social behaviour for the past year, residents on the Links Drive (Penland Wood) estate decided enough was enough and rallied round to clean up the mess, with younger people helping older people, and pressed for a greater police presence.

Roger Daniels, of College Road, said: “People woke up to find paint daubed on a mobile home, a street sign and several cars in Ridgewood Gardens, an 86-year-old woman’s front door in Links Drive, front doors and a car bonnet in College Road, an electricity sub-station and an alleyway.

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“In the past we’ve had windows smashed and various other acts of vandalism, and I suppose this was the last straw. To his credit, Inspector James Scott from Bexhill police station came out personally to meet us on Monday and we feel the police are now doing something to help us at last.”

Mr Daniels said Insp Scott had explained difficulties in responding to reports of criminal damage, which often came to light hours after the perpetrators had gone, and acknowledged that the area had been without a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) due to long-term illness.

But he added: “We’re confident the inspector has listened to what we had to say and has taken positive steps to help us. This is a pleasant estate and the tearways who cause problems should start giving other people some respect and not take liberties.”

Mr Daniels, a former Army NCO, has helped create a neighbourhood watch, though not affiliated to the main organisation, and paid tribute to all who had helped restore damaged property.

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Insp Scott said that a new PCSO, Andy Smith, was now regularly patrolling the area and would welcome information about any problems or anti-social behaviour. He can be contacted on 07899 882782 or via e-mail, [email protected]

Police said this week that four youths had been arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage and released on bail until June pending further enquiries.