10:50am Monday 1st March 2010
VANDALS have caused £4,500 damage to a war memorial and a community hall.
Yobs repeatedly jumped on the roof of Stambridge Memorial Hall, in Stambridge, causing it to break. They also flooded the toilets.
The thugs also scrawled graffiti over a war memorial wall, which honours those who have given their lives for their country.
Stambridge Parish Council took over the building in Stambridge Road two months ago and are trying to give it a makeover so it can be used by the community.
Phil Capon, parish councillor, said their efforts are being hampered by troublemakers.
He said: “The parish council is really upset. You might as well go and dance on somebody’s grave. It is sacrilege.
“The parish and the church are trying to bring the community together. It is just another case of antisocial behaviour.
“The annoying thing is the youths say they haven’t got anything to do.
“But if there wasn’t this vandalism, we could open the building up as a youth club.”
Essex Police spokeswoman, Donna Veasey, said: “Graffiti was found on the village hall wall on February 22 and we are investigating.”
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Rayleigh police on 0300 3334444.
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