Anglers club ‘devastated’ by vandalism

Dewsbury District Junior Anglers Club had erected a small wooden hut, with the help of Kirklees Council, on land off Walkley Lane in Heckmondwike on May 22.

The intention was to use the hut as a base near fishing water to teach keen youngsters about the practicalities of fishing.

However, within 48 hours of the hut being put up, it was pillaged by vandals, who smashed windows, left graffiti and scratch marks all over the walls and even attempted to burn the hut down.

The damage left behind is believed to be worth up to £1,000.

Keith Ward, from the Anglers Club, said that forthcoming events for the club at the start of its summer season of programmes had had to be postponed.

“The kids at the club are devastated because we can’t move in now,” he said. “The thing is that it’s for the children.

“It’s wilful, premeditated violence, and they must just get a kick out of doing it.

“They left their names on the graffiti and I’ve passed those onto the police. They’re doing they’re best but of course police resources are stretched at the moment, so there’s only so much they can do.

“All the money we were going to spend on other things is now going to go towards keeping the hut secure. We were going to put fishing platforms up but we know they’ll just get damaged as soon as we put them up.”

Anyone with information about the incident should call the police non-emergency number on 101.