Vandalism of Henfield building site labelled ‘mindless’

Glass has been smashed, excavators scratched and signs sprayed with graffiti at Parsonage Farm, Deer Park, where Charles Church South Coast developers are currently building 130 homes.

Sussex Police reported that between 5pm on Friday (March 28) and 6.45am on Saturday (March 29), three diggers were damaged – the windows smashed – a porta cabin window was smashed and someone wrote ‘no more housing’ on one of the machines.

Henfield Parish Council Chairman, Ray Osgood, visited the site on Monday (March 31) to assess the damage. He said that opposition against other developments in the village was being carried out ‘responsibly’ and the parish council did not condone this kind of retaliation.

He said: “Henfield Parish Council condemn this out of hand.

“This has happened at a time when the parish council and other responsible residents are opposing the proposed housing development on West End Lane and the one currently going to appeal.

“The opposition is being carried out in a responsible manner and no one involved was part of this mindless act.

“Having been involved in a small construction business where my own equipment was damaged in the 1980s, I can appreciate how much work this mindless vandalism creates.”

Mark Docherty, sales director for Charles Church South Coast, said: “Damage of this nature is very unusual in the area and thankfully this appears to be an isolated incident. We apologise to anyone who has been offended by the graffiti and wish to reassure local residents that our signage company was instructed to put things right as soon as we were alerted to the problem.

“We take our responsibilities as a landowner and neighbour very seriously and would ask anyone who spots anti-social behaviour to report it.”

Sussex Police is appealing to anyone to call 101 quoting 0313 of 29/03/14, or call independent charity Crimestoppers annoymously on 0800 555 111.