Vandals hit buildings at Christchurch Quay

WINDOWS were smashed and walls daubed with graffiti when vandals struck at Christchurch Quay at the weekend.

The alarm was raised around 11.15am on Sunday, with reports a sheltered seating area on the quay, next to the Quomps, had been targeted.

Several of the windows in the structure, off Quay Road, had been broken and wooden framing snapped.

Local police posted images on Facebook afterwards which showed the damage, along with graffiti covering the wall of a building by Mayors Mead, off Wick Lane.

People are being urged to come forward if they can help track down those responsible for the offences as investigations continue. No arrests have yet been made.

“We rely on you to be our eyes and ears so please report any issues either via 101 or 999 if a crime is in progress,” the police Facebook post said.

Members of the public took to the comments section on the post to share their anger and frustration.

One person wrote: “Put simply this is mindless criminal damage.

“Would you key your own car? No! So why would you destroy your own neighbourhood? It makes no sense.

“Graffiti appears to have become a big problem in all of the BCP [Council] area, including the road signs on the A338.”

A force spokesperson told the A&T: “Dorset Police received a report at 11.13am on Sunday 1st November 2020 of criminal damage to a public shelter near Place Mill on Quay Road in Christchurch.

“Officers carried out a visit to the site and have carried out a number of enquiries. No arrests have been made at this stage.”

Anyone with information should contact officers on 101, quoting crime reference number 55200164585, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.