Police tackle White Rock vandals

Traders and residents living near White Rock Gardens have become concerned after youngsters started congregating in the evenings, and now the authorities have vowed to work with the community to tackle the issue.

John McIver, course manager and president of the Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club, said his business had been vandalised several times, with felt ripped up and burned with cigarettes, broken glass being left on the course and water features damaged.

He said: "It was pretty bad a couple of months ago but it has calmed down a bit now. But there was another incident last Monday '“ the lucky 19th hole wasn't that lucky because someone had ripped the top off and took it apart.

"There is lots of underage drinking in the area and now it is the school holidays it can be any time. It is a real pain. It is difficult enough running a business without having to pay out to get the course repaired or to clear broken bottles off."

Mr McIver said it had cost him hundreds of pounds to clean up the course over recent months.

He added: "We are hosting the international tournament in September with people coming from all over Europe to take part.

"It's the first time we have held it for four years so we are really hoping to keep the course in shape for then."

Hastings Police crime prevention officer Lee Harris said "We are working closely with White Rock Gardens, and we are both keen to implement crime prevention measures for the site to tackle the ongoing problems they have been experiencing.

"We are looking at a range of measures, including increased lighting and extending the current CCTV coverage of the site, and staff are also looking at changes to the fencing and hedges.

"In the short term, I am liaising with colleagues to increase patrols in the area, and we will continue to work in partnership with White Rock to ensure that the beauty of these gardens is not lost due to individuals who are intent on engaging in anti social behaviour."

Cllr Jay Kramer, deputy leader of Hastings Borough Council, said: "We are taking this issue very seriously and are working with our partners on both short and long term solutions."