Vandals’ spree costs stone firm over £20k

11:25am Wednesday 26th March 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

THOUSANDS of pounds-worth of damage has been caused by yobs who smashed up two Portland quarries before launching a graffiti attack on homes and businesses around the island.

Production had to be halted at the Albion Stone sites because extensive damage was caused to quarry machinery.

Police said spray paint stolen from one of the quarries was used to paint obscenities around the site and throughout Tophill.

Homes, garages, vehicles, alleyways, fences, the Royal Manor School and the health centre in Park Estate Road at Easton were all affected.

Bowers Mine and Quarry in Wide Street and Fancy Beach Quarry in Easton Lane were the two quarries targeted.

Windows and lights were smashed on an earth mover and other plant equipment, a generator damaged and a hut broken into and tools and paint stolen. The paint was used to daub obscenities on finished stone and blocks.

Albion's quarry and mine manager Mark Godden said: "I couldn't believe it when we opened up the sites in the morning.

"It's mindless vandalism which has affected our operations.

"Bowers Quarry has come off the worst.

"The quarry sites are open but the machinery at Bowers was secure in the mine under lock and key and someone has gone in there and smashed it all up.

"With all the production we've lost it's going to cost us £20,000 at least."

Crime scene investigators have visited both sites to look for clues while house-to-house inquiries have been carried out in the area.

Police believe the gang broke into the sites during daylight hours over the bank holiday weekend. They would have taken their time causing damage and spraying graffiti.

PC Steve Morris said graffiti has also been found around the Easton and Weston estates.

He said: "It's everywhere and in the full view of children and elderly people.

"This has affected many people in the community and will no doubt cost a lot of money to clean off.

"Some of the walls and fences I've seen will have to be completely repainted."

Six youths arrested on an unrelated matter of beating up two boys are to be questioned about the attacks.

Witnesses and anyone with information can contact police in confidence on 01305 222222 or Crimestoppers.