Vandals who had been on a wrecking spree destroying Christmas displays at numerous properties in Cliffsend were caught by residents last night {December 14}.
At least a dozen properties, including Cliffsend Village Hall, were targeted across the early hours of Saturday morning and then again on Saturday night with displays being kicked over, items torn from doors and decorations chucked on the ground.
One of those whose home was targeted was Dale Norton. He had ring CCTV footage from around 4.35am showing two teens kicking over his reindeer illuminations and then throwing a snowman decoration at his work van, causing a dent because it had been weighted down with a brick.
Many residents in Sandwich Road, Foads Lane, Mount Green Avenue and Foads Hill were among those whose displays were destroyed.
Dale said: “We build up {the display} every year and buy something extra each year but now we have just got the bare minimum out as you can’t buy three years worth of stuff in one go.
“They wrecked the village hall decorations, and they dented my van. It’s spoilt Christmas. I just do not understand it, who goes out and decides ‘I’m going to smash up Christmas’ especially kids.
“My wife is a childminder so a lot of {the display} is for the kids and just to make the village happy.
“I don’t understand the mentality of doing this two nights in a row and filming themselves doing it.”
An appeal on behalf of Cliffsend Village Hall has also been made after that display was destroyed, saying: “Sadly, Cliffsend was hit by some vandals that seemingly went on a wrecking Christmas rampage. Two nights in a row people have had lights ripped down, heads kicked off of reindeers and much more.
“Last night our beautiful village hall was the target, they bent the flag pole, ripped off the lovely bin and post box toppers, broke the star and reindeer, ripped down every light and broke pretty much everything.
“If you have even just one set of outside lights going spare, please could we have them? Even if we can just light up the tree it would be something.
“Everyone in the village is absolutely gutted, all the people that worked hard to make it beautiful, the kids and the Cliffsend community.”
The wrecking spree caused so much anger that residents were on the look out last night when properties were again targeted.
One resident who was among those to catch the culprits said: “Residents heard a disturbance at the village hall, saw them destroying the decorations and they ripped a wreath off a neighbour’s door.
“Residents came out, called the police and three of us pursued them down Foads Lane, two of them on foot and I was in the car. They ran down past Njord on to the marsh area opposite and hid until another resident joined me and called them out. Police then arrived.”
Dale says he called police while the culprits were being pursued and had to be ‘very forceful’ in order to get officers to attend.
He added: “I gave police a running commentary and said they had been doing it again. I had to say people were going out to find them and when they said they didn’t advise that I said they better get here then.
“The best bit of this is how the whole community came together.”
Two teenagers have been arrested in connection with the incidents.
A Kent Police spokesperson said: “Two people have been arrested following several reports of vandalism to Christmas decorations in Ramsgate. The incidents happened in the Cliffsend area between Friday 13 and Saturday 14 December. Shortly before midnight on Saturday 14 December, a teenage boy and girl were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and were taken into custody
“Witnesses and anyone with information that may assist the investigation should call Kent Police on 01843 222289 quoting reference 46/211533/24. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, or by completing an online form on their website.”
Commenting is switched off now arrests have been confirmed.
Excellent
And what will happen even if they are convicted? A talking too & warned not to do it again. They are probably used to that.
If the Police continue to show reluctance or refusal to attend when crimes are taking place, then more people will take the law into their own hands. Understandable. Clearly they could have sent officers when first reported. Disgraceful that they only sent them when it was made clear that the residents would otherwise do their job for them.
Absolute vermin 😥
Nip them in the bud now please.Useless citizens. I am not a fan of outside xmas decorations, but wanton destruction is pathetic, mental and unnaceptable