A failed attempt to break into the Crabble Corn Mill over Christmas has caused £800 of damage.

Harry Reid, chairman of Crabble Corn Mill Trust, said his volunteers are heartbroken after three hooded men were seen on CCTV destroying ladders that were chained to a fence and other security cameras on Tuesday, December 22.

Outside lighting was also damaged in the incident that happened between midnight and 2am.

Mr Reid said:“We are all volunteers who put on events to raise money for the mill and it just ruins what we have done.

“We have given the CCTV images to the police.

“The volunteers are extremely disappointed – what they are seeing is the little bit of profit made from Christmas being swallowed up. All the hard work they put in for the events has been destroyed.”

The police confirmed they are investigating the incident.

A spokesman said: “It is thought three men were involved and officers are studying CCTV images to identify them.”

Mr Reid said it was heartbreaking for all the volunteers who took six weeks to put on the mill’s Christmas programme.

“So many people come from around the village to get these events going,” he said.

Dom Sharp, 37, from Crabble, has since set up a crowdfunding page online in a bid to help the mill recover some of the costs.

Miss Sharp, a university student, said: “I just wanted to help the mill out.

“I’m a local girl and I felt angry. All the hard work they do at the mill – it’s a cost they could do without.

“I’ve asked for £500 but anything else would be a bonus for its upkeep.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting crime ref: ZY/399/16 or Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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