Hamstreet Victory Hall trashed after teenagers gatecrash party
Published: 13:58, 23 November 2018
Updated: 14:02, 23 November 2018
A gang of teenagers trashed a community hall after gatecrashing a private party.
About £1,000 worth of damage was caused to Hamstreet Victory Hall after the 20-strong mob damaged a disabled toilet and sign.
Officers are yet to make any arrests but say they continuing to carry out inquiries following the vandalism.
The private party was ended prematurely by parents at the gathering, who feared for the safety of the children in attendance.
Broken glass was found in the car park the following day, along with 42 laughing gas canisters and balloons.
Angela Bromfield, chairman of the Victory Hall committee, said: "We were just so devastated because we look after the hall so well, so you can imagine how we felt.
"We just couldn't believe people would do this, particularly to the toilets for the disabled.
"It's just mindless vandalism and the hall's used so much - it is the hub of the community.
"Some of us have been on the committee for 40 years and we've never seen damage like it.
"Thankfully the damage didn't stop bookings at the hall and we are very fortunate we can use local plumbers."
The incident - which also saw the 'y' from Victory Hall's sign removed - happened on Saturday, October 27 during a Halloween party.
In the disabled toilet, the sink and paper roll holder were ripped off the wall, while the toilet seat and a high chair were broken.
The gents' toilet was also targeted and when the sink was pulled out of the wall the room flooded, prompting partygoers to call an emergency plumber to cap the pipes.
Police spokesman Natalie Hardy confirmed equipment and furniture inside the building was broken during a party at the hall between 5pm and midnight.
She said: "Officers have made inquiries into the report and would still like to hear from witnesses in order to determine who is responsible for the damage."
Anyone with information should call police on 01843 222289, quoting reference ZY/064357/18.
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