Police hunt vandals smashing windows at Uckfield business park

Police are trying to find vandals who keep smashing windows on an industrial unit on the Bellbrook Industrial Estate in Uckfield.

They suspect the damage is being done by occupants of passing cars using something like a catapult.

They said: “This in itself is extremely dangerous to anyone that may be either working in the unit or outside it. The units are occupied at different points in the day so at any time someone could be hit and injured, possibly seriously.”

The police said the owners of the units have put up a fence to stop damage to the bottom windows but now the top windows are being targeted.

They added: “The damage caused and the money that has already been spent for the fence, and for other measures taken has totalled more than £2,700, with more funds needed to replace two further windows damaged in the last two weeks.”

Local businessman, and occupier of the unit, Mr James Goddard, who is pictured below, with one of his smashed windows, said: “Due to the reckless acts of a small minority of idiots we have had to go to great expense to replace expensive window units, install CCTV cameras, posters and to erect a fence in order to reduce the impact that these morons have caused.

“However, and more importantly we are concerned about the safety of our staff and visitors because one day someone could be seriously hurt through the loss of an eye or worse still.

“To see the damage that the projectiles (stones and nuts/bolts) can cause to the structure of the building makes one shudder at the potential harm to human life.

“These characters need to be caught and dealt with appropriately and we hope that the police and local residents can help bring this about.”

Police said they were trying to find the offenders and would deal robustly with anyone caught.

They added: “Anyone who knows about this continuing damage or has seen anything they view as suspicious either around the unit, or on the bypass, are urged to contact police on 101 quoting reference 0769 12/7/12. Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Thanks to Ron Hill for the photographs.

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