Vandals go on Middleton rampage
VANDALS caused hundreds of pounds damage in a weekend attack at Middleton Village Hall after scaling a seven-foot fence covered in barbed wire to gain access to the boiler house.
Volunteers from the hall's management committee were called to the building early on Sunday morning and discovered a trail of destruction which included broken oil tank switches, smashed lights and paint thrown over walls and equipment.
Stacking chairs had also been thrown on to the hall roof while a fire extinguisher had been sprayed and emptied.
The attack resulted in Monday's playgroup session being abandoned, leaving more than 20 mothers needing to find alternative childcare provision at short notice.
A spokesman for Middleton Village Hall Management Committee said the venue was operating as normal on Wednesday but volunteers now face a bill of more than 500 to cover the cost of the damage.
She said: "They just do not realise the problems they have caused.
"The hall is a registered charity run by volunteers and is used mostly by the playgroup and schools.
"We can ill afford to put right this type of damage.
"The police were called and scenes of crime investigators found details including DNA and fingerprints which will hopefully mean that those responsible will be brought to justice.
"However, if anyone knows anything at all about this vandalism please call either the hall committee or Crimestoppers."
The attack is the latest in a long line of problems at the venue.
In the summer two windows were smashed by shots from a BB gun and over the past few months the playing field and village hall car park has been used for impromptu parties by groups of youths.
This has resulted in the play area being littered with vodka bottles, lager cans, broken glass and even condoms.
A police spokesman said the latest attack happened some time between 2pm on Saturday and 8.10am on Sunday.
The matter is still under investigation by officers after house-to-house inquiries brought new information on the incident to light.
Anyone with information about the attack is asked to call Lynn Police Station on 0845 4564567 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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Weather for Kings Lynn
Thursday 09 September 2010
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