Crossgar vandalism outrage

Crossgar vandalism outrage

10 August 2016

THE culprits behind a series of criminal damage incidents in Crossgar at the weekend may have been caught on camera.

Extensive damage was caused by vandals in the village in the early hours of Saturday morning, causing hundreds of pounds of damage by smashing through the glass door of a former phone box which now houses a lifesaving defibrillator.

Young trees were also torn down, promotional material damaged at a local car showroom and windows boxes destroyed at the same time.

Members of the local community group have reacted with shock to the criminal damage spree with local tradespeople saying they were particularly horrified to see the defibrillator targeted. The lifesaving device was not damaged in the attack.

Eamon Bell, from Bell Motorworks, which was targeted, said he was hopeful those responsible may be apprehended after they were caught on CCTV.

He said it was sickening to see the damage caused on Saturday morning following a big drive and much effort by local people to make Crossgar look its best.

Community worker Paul Taggart, who helps run the local youth league, said the local community group now faces the cost of repairs to the former phone box containing the specialist lifesaving equipment, which was installed two years ago.

He said local people had been very keen to see a defibrillator in the town because of the number of young people involved in the league and the crowds of spectators they bring.

“It was something we felt we needed to have and we were delighted to get it installed two years ago,” he said.

“It has been available to the community 24 hours per day and now it is up to the community group to find the money to fix the box.”

Mr Taggart said it was galling to see the extent of damage across the village on Saturday morning and said huge efforts had been made to make Crossgar attractive including local people cutting the verges, trees planted and flower boxes created.

“Sandpits were emptied at Westlands estate, they left total carnage behind,” he said.

“This has happened just as we expect the play park to reopen after being destroyed in an arson attack last summer.”

Local business owner Shauna Crowe said it was unfair that such damage was caused after the effort put in by local people to make the village look well.

“So many people have done so much for the village. They have given up so much free time to plant trees and to make sure there is a defibrillator for everyone to use,” she said.