Do you know where your kids are and what they are up to?
Catherington Lith Arson and Criminal Damage.
In recent months there has been an increase in criminal activity by local gangs / groups of children including breaking windows and arson leading to the fire brigade sending out two tenders that might have been needed for a real emergency elsewhere.
The Arson attack on a derelict building at Catherington Lith Nature reserve took two teams of fire fighters over an hour to extinguish. CCTV footage from a nearby property was handed over to the Police who are carrying out their own enquiries now.
Incidents at The Lith include investigating a number of incidents where tyres and other rubbish have been rolled down Lith Avenue onto the A3 where a serious road accident or personal injury could have occurred. On one occasion a car was hit causing significant bodywork damage.
Jubilee Hall Vandalism.
Just yesterday Jubilee Hall which is owned by Horndean Parish Council was also vandalised. The construction works currently being undertaken adjacent to Jubilee Hall in Horndean is being targeted by a group of approximately 12 -15 youngsters on bicycles, who congregate on Jubilee Field and the neighbouring open space.
Residents have reported that this group aged between 11 – 15 yrs., regularly force entry into the construction compound causing damage to the partially built walls and climbing up on to the roof.
On Tuesday 17 March at 4.30pm the group was seen within the compound throwing large stones at the windows of Jubilee Hall resulting in 3 large windows being broken. This being the third occurrence of such damage.
The Chief Officer of Horndean Parish Council attended the site and spoke to 2 members of the group who were openly discussing their ‘exploits’, after an exchange of words the group quickly disbanded.
The ongoing replacement of the windows is costly, and it is unfortunate that the youngsters are oblivious to the fact that the cost of the repairs will be paid from the public purse, to which their parents contribute.
If members of the community have any information or witness any further acts of trespass and criminal damage please could the matter be reported to the police or the parish office- Email: contact@horndeanpc-hants.gov.uk or Tel: 02392597766.
And the Parents?
These are serious crimes with incurring real costs with the potential for serious injury and worse. How well behaved do you think your children are when they are out with their friends and if they will do this when they in their teens and younger, what will they grow up like?
Please be clear, CCTV footage fomr some of these incidents has been handed over to the Police and some families have already been spoken to. Due to the age of the children (who were in School Uniform at the time) the images can not be re-posted here.
Do you know where your Children are and what they are doing?
horndeanmatters 