Horndean Parish Council Building Shooting Costs Residents – Help Us Find Them!

Horndean Parish Council staff were shocked and disbelieving to arrive at the Parish Office on Monday morning to find extensive damage had been carried out overnight. Sarah Guy, Deputy Clerk, explained, “Four of the main glass panels to the office reception area were smashed and two panes in the main doors to Jubilee Hall. We have CCTV footage showing a vehicle entering the car park and two individuals active outside the entry way where the glass was smashed. It’s clear from the footage and metal pellets collected from the area, that some sort of gun of significant velocity was used in the attack.”

HPC Chair, Cllr Andrew Redding, stated “The nature of this attack is absolutely appalling as it is significant criminal activity, well beyond that of anti-social behaviour, carried out with a weapon or weapons that clearly had the capability to wound or even kill, regardless of the huge amount of damage caused to a building. What’s also heartbreaking is that the cost of this incident – including repairs, insurance claims, premium rises, better lighting and security – is all being paid for by our residents. As a Council we work really hard to give value for money and it makes me furious that the criminal behaviour of a few will affect hardworking families.  The attack took place in the early hours of Monday morning – when the England football team were busy being heroes in Mexico, a couple of local individuals thought that turning to crime would be a better use of their time. We are working closely with the police on apprehending the suspects but I feel sure that someone knows who did this. If you have any information that might be helpful and want Horndean Parish to be a good, welcoming community that says no to violence you can report what you know anonymously via http://crimestoppers-uk.org/ or by calling 0800 555 111.

More positively, Cllr Redding goes to on to explain, “This incident demonstrates exactly why the Council is partnering with local youth organisation, The Kings Arms, to secure ongoing youth services in Horndean Parish and working with them on projects which are designed to develop community pride amongst our young people, giving them opportunities to really contribute to local life and encouraging them away from anti-social behaviour such as graffiti and vandalism.” To learn more about the work of the Kings Arms, visit https://www.thekingsarms.org.uk/.