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Whitstable Golf Club vandalism spree sees golf buggy dumped in ditch for second time

A golf buggy has been found dumped in a ditch for the second time - in the latest attack in a spate of vandalism at a town golf club.

Staff tending the green at Whitstable and Seasalter Golf Club, in Collingwood Road, were greeted by the "sorry sight" on Sunday morning.

A golf buggy was found dumped in a ditch at Whitstable and Seasalter Golf Club. Picture: Andy Selwood
A golf buggy was found dumped in a ditch at Whitstable and Seasalter Golf Club. Picture: Andy Selwood

Vandals had cut a thick metal rope that attaches the buggies together, before driving the vehicle nose-first into a dyke.

Andy Selwood, a director at the Whitstable club, said: "They must have used a tool like a bolt cutter to cut through that.

"They've obviously gone down with the intention of doing it. It's just annoying really.

"The buggies have a little box which has been smashed off, and they've somehow hot-wired the thing to start it."

Another buggy was found abandoned on the green.

Vandals smashed up heavy wooden patio furniture at the golf club shortly before Christmas. Picture: Andy Selwood
Vandals smashed up heavy wooden patio furniture at the golf club shortly before Christmas. Picture: Andy Selwood

The club has fallen victim to a string of similar incidents in recent months.

"One time last year they stole another buggy and threw that into the ditch in much the same way," said Mr Selwood.

"And they stole a buggy which was found up in Whitstable by a member of the public."

Just before Christmas, vandals smashed up heavy wooden patio furniture that was positioned outside the site's new clubhouse.

"A memorial bench with someone's name on it got damaged - just jumped up and down on and broken," said Mr Selwood.

"There are chairs and tables that are bolted together, and some of those were smashed.

Vandals messed about with patio furniture at the golf club shortly before Christmas. Picture: Andy Selwood
Vandals messed about with patio furniture at the golf club shortly before Christmas. Picture: Andy Selwood

"They'd have had to try really hard to damage the furniture as it's really heavy."

In December, a brand-new window at the clubhouse was also broken, and cost about £700 to replace.

Mr Selwood puts the vandalism down to "lockdown boredom".

But he says the actions have a knock-on effect for club members.

"The club is a facility used by local people of all ages, and is a green space in our town," he said. "It's a local club, and they're just local people - not all millionaires.

"I think we can repair the damage - it's just going to take somebody quite a long time to do it."

The club is reopening to golfers on March 29.

"Hopefully when people are there a bit later on in the evening, it will deter people from doing this kind of thing," added Mr Selwood.

Police say they are investigating the weekend's incident involving two golf buggies, which is thought to have happened between midnight on Saturday and about 10.45am on Sunday.

Anyone with information should call Kent Police on 01843 222289 quoting 46/46479/21.

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