I have been contacted by a number of residents understandably worried about this new spate of vandalism. Last month at least 10 beach huts were vandalised and in one case the gas supply to a cooker deliberately left on next to matches. The Perch has also had a number of its windows damaged and been subject to anti-social behaviour from a number of young people intimidating their customers. Last week we found traces of socks filled with pebbles specifically used to smash windows. These are lethal weapons and goodness knows what would have happened if someone had been hit.
I am also particularly worried at reports from parents that younger children are now being bullied at the skateboard park and afraid to use this brand new facility. It would appear that several gangs of young people are now operating around Beach Green which threatens this popular facility and would be a disaster after all the investment and hard work put in to making the Green a welcoming and valued facility.
The response from the leadership of the Parish Council has been to keep the extent of the problem under wraps and subject anyone who wants to help find a solution to a volley of childish abuse, including me. According to the chairman of the Parish Council they have arranged for a senior police officer to attend a public meeting next year! That is in addition to the various talking shops they have set up amongst themselves. Frankly this just does not cut the mustard for a problem that is happening now and needs to be nipped in the bud before the whole Beach Green becomes a no-go area.