NEWS RELEASE 03/11/2003

Did You See Village Hall Vandals?

BEDFORDSHIRE Police are appealing for witnesses after vandals caused extensive damage to a village hall – which included flooding the premises by leaving taps running. The incident happened between 9am on Saturday, October 25, and 11am on Sunday October 26 at East Hyde village hall on the B653 Luton to Welwyn road. PC Jenny Buckley, investigating, said offenders broke into the hall by smashing five windows leading to a staff room and a corridor. They smashed plates and cups in the kitchen area before turning on the taps and flooding the whole of the village hall, damaging the wooden flooring in a room used for parties and dancing. PC Buckley appealed for anyone who may have seen the offenders entering or leaving the building, or has heard the offenders speaking about the incident since. Among those who may be able to help are motorists who were passing through East Hyde at the time and may have seen the offenders, but did not realise what they were up to. She said: “This is an absolutely mindless act of vandalism that has caused considerable amount of damage, upset and inconvenience. If anyone has any information – no matter how insignificant it may seem – we would urge them to contact us.” Anyone with information should telephone PC Buckley at Dunstable Police Station on 01582 471212 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.