Judo chiefs call for help to tackle yobsBy Dee Adcock
JUDO chiefs are taking a stand against the yobs who are damaging a club building for fun.
Doug Breach of Dorchester Judo Club said repairing the damage caused by vandals at the Sawmills site was eating into club funds.
Mr Breach, former chairman and now club treasurer, said: "Damage is being done late at night there. We've just had to repair broken shower vents and an emergency exit outside light.
"These are essential for the use of the building so we have to pay and get them replaced. That's another £100 or more for the bill.
"It's been going on for a long time. Sawmills is a nice place to see and to be and yet we have all this trouble."
The club has seen a resurgence after spending nearly £50,000 on re-roofing the building and carrying out other improvements and modifications last year.
Doug Breach of Dorchester Judo Club said repairing the damage caused by vandals at the Sawmills site was eating into club funds.
Mr Breach, former chairman and now club treasurer, said: "Damage is being done late at night there. We've just had to repair broken shower vents and an emergency exit outside light.
"These are essential for the use of the building so we have to pay and get them replaced. That's another £100 or more for the bill.
"It's been going on for a long time. Sawmills is a nice place to see and to be and yet we have all this trouble."
The club has seen a resurgence after spending nearly £50,000 on re-roofing the building and carrying out other improvements and modifications last year.
But Mr Breach said the club is suffering from vandalism inflicted by youths who congregate at the club at night.
He said: "They're not just young teenagers - older youths meet up there in cars and play loud music and leave litter all over the place.
"And they kick footballs up the wall at the fittings - we find all the muddy football marks and have to wash the walls down all the time."
Mr Breach said he wants to put a stop to the damage, which is affecting the club and other premises - including Scouts, the Boy's Brigade and the YMCA - at the site.
He is urging people living near or passing by to note any incidents so that action can be taken.
He said: "People have mentioned that they've seen youths hanging around up there at nearly midnight. I don't want anyone to challenge them but it would be helpful if they made a note of car registration numbers or descriptions.
"We just want this to stop. We spent all that money on the building - we don't want this."
Inspector Les Fry of Dorchester Police said patrols would be increased in the area and anyone found causing criminal damage would be dealt with.
He said: "Meeting up in cars and playing music is not necessarily wrong but if they are causing damage then we will take action. People should not confront anyone but should pass information to the police."
The judo club faced closure because of serious problems with the roof. It re-opened in May last year and is now used by up to 300 people of all ages for judo and other disciplines including kick-boxing.
9:07am today
He said: "They're not just young teenagers - older youths meet up there in cars and play loud music and leave litter all over the place.
"And they kick footballs up the wall at the fittings - we find all the muddy football marks and have to wash the walls down all the time."
Mr Breach said he wants to put a stop to the damage, which is affecting the club and other premises - including Scouts, the Boy's Brigade and the YMCA - at the site.
He is urging people living near or passing by to note any incidents so that action can be taken.
He said: "People have mentioned that they've seen youths hanging around up there at nearly midnight. I don't want anyone to challenge them but it would be helpful if they made a note of car registration numbers or descriptions.
"We just want this to stop. We spent all that money on the building - we don't want this."
Inspector Les Fry of Dorchester Police said patrols would be increased in the area and anyone found causing criminal damage would be dealt with.
He said: "Meeting up in cars and playing music is not necessarily wrong but if they are causing damage then we will take action. People should not confront anyone but should pass information to the police."
The judo club faced closure because of serious problems with the roof. It re-opened in May last year and is now used by up to 300 people of all ages for judo and other disciplines including kick-boxing.
9:07am today
FONTE (photo include): Dorset Echo - England,UK
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