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Vandals smash five windows at Dover's Kearsney Abbey cafe during its £3.1 million makeover

Vandals have targeted newly-improved facilities at a park in Dover prompting calls for the installation of CCTV.

A total of five windows have been smashed on the cafe at Kearsney Abbey and Russell Gardens in Alkham Road.

Police and Dover District Council are investigating smashed windows of the cafe at Kearsney Abbey and Russell Gardens. Picture: DDC
Police and Dover District Council are investigating smashed windows of the cafe at Kearsney Abbey and Russell Gardens. Picture: DDC

It comes during a £3.1 million Heritage Lottery-funded project to extend and renovate the venue, making it fully accessible to all with new toilets, kitchen and an outdoor seating area.

The damage is believed to have been caused between 5pm on Monday and 8am on Tuesday.

Police and Dover District Council (DDC) are investigating.

A DDC spokesman said: “We are extremely disappointed to see this damage to the windows on the new café extension at Kearsney Abbey.

"We are working hard to improve these facilities in this beautiful park for the benefit of everyone.

The extension of the cafe at Kearsney Abbey
The extension of the cafe at Kearsney Abbey

"We are working with Kent Police to follow up on this incident.”

Residents have shared their disappointment on social media and urged the authority to install CCTV.

Linda Ford reacted: "That’s such a shame. Spoil it for everyone due to selfish behaviour."

Heather Jackson said: "Respect is lacking in the people who do such things. How do we encourage respect in people in our community?"

Gemma Parker posted: "Get a camera in place, some people don’t deserve to live by such beauty."

DDC responded: "We have introduced new security arrangements for the building and are looking at how these can be enhanced further.”

Anyone with any information is asked to call Kent Police on 01843 222289, quoting reference 06-0182.

You can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or complete the online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org

Read more: All the latest news from Dover

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