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Stanhope Parish Hall targeted as Ashford catapult crimewave continues

A community hall window believed to have been smashed by a catapult is set to be repaired thanks to a councillor grant.

Stanhope Parish Hall in Otterden Close in Ashford was targeted by vandals on Sunday, just days after a seagull was killed by catapultists.

A Stanhope Parish Hall window was shot out on Sunday. Picture: Stanhope Parish Council (19902804)
A Stanhope Parish Hall window was shot out on Sunday. Picture: Stanhope Parish Council (19902804)

A glass pane was shattered during the incident, which was replaced today.

A spokesman for the Stanhope Parish Council said: "It is so frustrating that ‘youths’ think it’s okay to do this, especially after last week when a bird was horrifically killed.

"You can’t help but think it’s the same people as the Parish Hall is sited in Otterden Close where the bird was killed.

"The parish council are offering a small reward of £100 for information that would result in finding those responsible for breaking the window. The Parish Hall belongs to those living on Stanhope and is managed by the parish council.

"Hire fees are waived for those living on Stanhope who need it for their wake, subject to availability, and it is used by all ages.

Ashford Borough councillor Dara Farrell has come to the rescue, paying for the replacement pane.
Ashford Borough councillor Dara Farrell has come to the rescue, paying for the replacement pane.

"This is the first time it has been subjected to direct vandalism - usually those living in the area look after it and treasure it."

Cllr Dara Farrell has helped to fix the damage by using a member grant to pay for the replacement.

The hall was damaged the same day a swan was allegedly pelted to death by catapult users in nearby Singleton Lake.

The recent spate comes after an Freedom of Information request named Ashford as the catapult crime capital of Kent.

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