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Charity's building hit by vandals
12:02pm Saturday 1st March 2008
VANDALS went on a wrecking spree after smashing their way into a charity's new headquarters - a month after it opened.
Headway, a charity for those with head and brain injuries, now says it will have to redirect funds and manpower to deal with the expected four-figure clean-up.
Members of the charity, located in Headlands Trading Estate, Headlands Grove, say that they were gutted to find the damage when they went into the building in the morning.
"It seems like wanton vandalism by young kids," said Joanna Pearse, business manager.
"I came in at 9am to find the damage at the back of the property.
"The patients knew something had happened but we are trying to shield them from the damage as this is supposed to be a place of security for those who attend.
"I think the damage will come to thousands of pounds of damage.
"And that is going to be a huge drain on our already slim resources.
"It takes both time and money and distracts us from our purpose."
Damage included vandalism to a hedge, about 50 roof tiles were torn off and smashed, lead flashing left in tatters and television cables ripped from the walls.
A builder also found a log that he thinks the vandals threw and caused a hole in the roof.
Graeme Chisholm, chairman of Headway Swindon and District, said that in his 10-years of involvement with the charity he has never had to deal with anything like this.
"The staff are reassuring our clients that we are doing all we can," he said.
"This is very disappointing and a major distraction for us.
"We are getting quotes from builders and arranging for emergency repairs to be carried out."
The centre, which was officially opened by Casualty star Simon MacCorkindale on Jan-uary 18, is said to be vital to all patients who use it on a daily basis.
Investigating officer PC Lisa Tucker described the damage as mindless vandalism.
She said: "This has upset and shocked the members of staff who work at the centre.
"Quotes have been obtained and they have been warned to expect a four figure sum to repair the damage.
"This money could have been put to much better use elsewhere."
Anyone who may have witnessed the damage being cause should call police on 0845 408 7000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Your Say YourSwindon
CK, Swindon says...
2:32pm Sat 1 Mar 08
This is what having no deterrent i.e. parents smacking their kids to instil discipline and respect in them, the belt or cane in schools and punishment fitting the crime instead of making prisons glorified holiday camps.
Thanks to the "oh what a shame, the poor criminal/bad background brigade", we are reaping what we have sown :(
who dat?, says...
4:42pm Sat 1 Mar 08
vandalised by the brain dead!
BRING BACK THE BIRCH!
Terence, Swindon says...
7:52pm Sat 1 Mar 08
CK, Swindon says...
9:17pm Sat 1 Mar 08
who dat? wrote:Absolutely.
What irony - a centre for the brain injured vandalised by the brain dead! BRING BACK THE BIRCH!
The birch should never have been done away with!
TonyJanson, Chippenham says...
7:34am Sun 2 Mar 08
nosyrudeman, Liden, Swindon says...
8:06am Sun 2 Mar 08
Chowmai, swindon says...
12:12pm Sun 2 Mar 08
One thing that everyone can do is report every incident of 'anti-social behaviour' they witness, in detail, to the councils ASB unit.
Often the council/police are aware that there is an issue they can only act if they have enough knowledge via reports and or statements. Through the ASBU these can be done anonymously, protecting the person who reports it.
However, this does mean that those who make a 'non-anonymous' statement are left to be the 'face' of any action taken against the perpetrators.
Fighting ASB is a bit like putting a jigsaw together. All those who hold a piece of the 'bigger picture' need to give it to the person (the ASBU or the police) who can slot it into place and, when the whole thing is complete take it to the appropriate person for action.
The Africans have a saying, "It takes a village to raise a child" time was we, as society used to care more for each other with all generations mixing quite well together. Maybe we should all be looking at ways that we , as individuals, can actively give some of that back instead of blaming it on others or demanding that others take action.
Big Mac, says...
8:46am Mon 3 Mar 08
The government/state has given criminals and children so many rights that the state itself can no longer control or punish them.
And when children grow up in the full knowledge that we have a government who is now unable to send criminals to prison because they haven't built enough spaces, isn't it fairly clear that those children know they can behave exactly as they please without consequence?
Even if they end up with a 'community sentence' I believe that 'not getting up on time' is a valid excuse for not doing it.
The cancerous nature of Anti-Social Behaviour in this country is the direct fault of a government that has pandered to criminals, refuses to punish anyone for anything and who still, incredibly, think that nothing is wrong.
Until the government that has got us into this mess is gone, the Anti-Social Behaviour problems that affect us all will not only remain, but get progressivley worse.
Each and every one of us has a choice. Each and every one of us can change things if we actually want to.
Use your vote and every election and send a clear message to Brown, Straw and Smith: ecouraging, rewarding and kowtowing to criminals is no longer acceptable.
Chris Paisley, Location, Location. says...
7:28pm Mon 10 Mar 08
Your sayYourSwindon
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Alison Burton, manager of Headway, holds up broken roof tiles following an attack by vandals
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Donkey, Swindon says...
2:20pm Sat 1 Mar 08
We need a strict presence, maybe a deputation, consisting of the police, the local authority and the social services to visit ALL schools in the areas where these sort of attacks are carried out. The repercussions, and proper punishment for the crimes, needs to be spelled out.
It's approaching a time when 7.00pm curfews have to be considered, coupled with parental responsibility putting the onus on those who just couldn't care less what their little criminals are doing for kicks.