by Fiona Cooper

Repeated attacks of vandalism could force a Sittingbourne firm out of town.

Bosses at EIZO on the Staplehurst Lodge Industrial Estate claim anti-social behaviour has escalated in the past 18 months, culminating this week in two incidents.

The Berkshire-based distributor of computer displays employs three highly-skilled workers at its unit.

Should it decide to pull the plug, the men will lose their jobs.

According to business director Rob Musson the problems have included pranksters knocking on doors when staff were trying to work and throwing bricks at windows, which have been re-inforced in a bid to prevent damage.

The final straw came when staff arrived on Tuesday to discover one of the re-inforced windows smashed.

Replaced on the same day, it was smashed again that night.

"We could board up the premises but expecting our staff to work in what is then a dark prison-like workplace isn't reasonable," said Mr Musson.

He believes the offenders come from the nearby Cavell Way housing estate and says he has been pressing Swale council's Community Safety Partnership (CSP) for action but without success.

"Despite attempts to get money diverted to put in measures such as security cameras or vandal-proof fences, the council seem to prefer to put their money elsewhere," said Mr Musson.

"I think it's time the council was put under the spotlight and asked to be held accountable for decisions to place housing next to business premises with no provision to prevent anti-social behaviour and vandalism.

"It shows a lack of foresight and the fact they have not listened to our complaints makes it worse.

"All they said was 'have you had a visit from our crime prevention people' - as if installing toughened glass and not answering the repeated knocking on the doors wasn't common sense, they want to send someone around to advise us how to protect ourselves from these people."

Mr Musson added: "Unless we find other premises in Sittingbourne, the three members of staff will lose their jobs. I feel helpless, powerless. All I can do is complain - I can't do anything else - but unless something is done we will be forced out."