Appeal for more support battling valley vandalism
A wave of vandalism sweeping the Loose Valley has left voluntary groups in despair.
Paul Worden, leader of Loose Swiss Scouts, has issued a plea via other groups, schools, parish councils and churches for assistance in countering the increasing number of incidents of trespass, illegal fishing, vandalism and attacks on sheep.
The Scouts own 42 acres of open space stretching from Atkins Hill in Boughton Monchelsea to Salts Lane in Loose.
Over half the land is rented out for grazing, and there are two lakes, which the Scouts rent to the Kingfisher Angling and Preservation Society.
Bob Jesshope, 78, has been the Scouts’ land warden since 1982. He said: “We’ve always suffered the odd problem, but the current level of trouble is unprecedented.”
Incidents have included trials bikes, a car travelling along a footpath, fires, two dog attacks that have left three ewes and a lamb dead, and youths firing catapults and air-rifles at sheep.
The water pipes feeding the sheep’s trough were vandalised resulting in a £450 metered bill.
Mr Jesshope said: “Beyond all that is the illegal fishing. We have two or three fishermen nearly every day. Not only are they not members of the club – it is the closed season for fishing.”
All incidents have been reported to police, receiving a good response from officers, including the rural policing unit. But so far no arrests have been made.
Scouts are increasing the height of the field gates, strengthening fences and adding barbed wire, at a cost of around £400, plus increasing “observation walks” by supporters.
The Loose Swiss Scouts have 180 young members aged from six to 14. They use the their land for camping, wide games, track- ing skills, pioneering projects and backwoods training.
Mr Jesshope said: “I just can’t understand the mentality of the vandals. Why does destroying someone’s else’s property give them a kick?
“It can be very dispiriting and sometimes you feel like giving up. But we carry on because our Scouts get a great deal of joy and pleasure from the land.”