Vandals destroy eleven sheds
A REWARD is being offered after vandals went on a rampage destroying sheds and damaging a leisure centre.
Over the last week there has been prolific damage to sheds in the Godwell Lane allotments and the South Dartmoor Leisure Centre in Ivybridge.
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Paulette Furnival, Val Kingsland, Ivybridge Mayor Trevor Parsons and PCSO Di Summers look at the remains of two of the sheds
Overnight on Thursday August 29 police were alerted by the fire service at around 4am by an anonymous call that three of the sheds were alight.
Other sheds were destroyed by being pushed over or entered and damage caused.
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Trevor Parsons, Mayor of Ivybridge, said: "I have decided as mayor to offer a reward to anyone who has information about the person or people responsible for this. As long as that person or people are prosecuted they will receive an award.
"I am not prepared to tolerate this in my area, it's an absolute scandal.
"The leisure centre and swimming pool have had to be closed and it has cost them.
"I think altogether the cost will come to £10,000 for their damage to be repaired.
"We're just not going to tolerate it, someone out there knows who has done this so they need to be caught.
"I feel so sorry for everyone affected by this mindless and reckless behaviour.
"The community spirit is so lovely and people get on so well here. They have put so much hard work into making their allotments nice, they've put all their lives into it, and peoples plants have been chucked all over the place."
Val Kingsland has been affected by the vandalism. She owns one of the sheds that has been damaged in the last week.
She said: "My shed was turned over, the window was broken and everything has been thrown around, but I think I've got off quite lightly.
"There have been about 15 sheds pushed over and up to 25 being damaged with windows smashed.
"There are 115 people on the allotment site and about 50 people have been affected over the last three days."
Paulette Furnidal's shed was also affected. She said: "I had minor damage to my shed, with vegetables pulled up. It's not fair and very disheartening."
The spate of criminal damage continued elsewhere in Ivybridge.
Overnight on Saturday August 25 and Sunday August 26 a window at the South Dartmoor Leisure Centre was smashed by a rock.
Also overnight on Tuesday August 28 and Wednesday August 29 a wing mirror to a parked Vauxhall Corsa motor vehicle in Cleve Drive was also smashed.
A police spokesperson said: "These crimes are all mindless damage which has caused a great deal of inconvenience to the owners.
"The local policing team are fully aware of this series of crimes and are increasing their patrols to both detect and deter such mindless damage and anti-social behaviour in the town."
Police are appealing to anyone who either may have witnessed any of these incidents or has any information regarding them to contact them on 101 quoting police reference JI/12/779.
Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or report online at www.Crimestoppers-uk.org.
Comments
by MissAnthrope
Saturday, September 01 2012, 2:46PM
“That's amazing Marc, where did you find a bookmaker willing to take that bet and what odds did you get? All I'm saying is that I saw a police car in Ivybridge earlier and both police officers were holding sticky buns.”
by josdave
Saturday, September 01 2012, 2:41PM
“As the courts are next to useless why don't some of the victims take the scum who did this behind one of the remaining sheds. Also name and shame them with photos to go with it.”
by marc1964
Saturday, September 01 2012, 2:17PM
“Missanthrope, i fail to see the relevance with your Elephant post to the story are you a Herald reporter.
I hope when they find the culprits they hang um high and name and shame them . My money is on Youths with no social conscience and no parental care”
by MissAnthrope
Saturday, September 01 2012, 10:05AM
“When visiting the Dartmoor Zoological Park yesterday with my nephew I noticed the elephant enclosure was empty. Staff ignored me when I pointed it out and ten minutes later I was threatened with removal if I didn't keep my mouth shut.”
by pooshooter7
Saturday, September 01 2012, 8:06AM
“And the courts, if they find the culprits will get what? doubt compensation for the damage caused will be paid,its time the courts came down on this hard,but then most people have been calling for tougher action for years as the courts dish out lame punishments,and prove that there is actually no deterrent to cause a crime.”