Smashed windows are a way of life for businesses in Pitsea town centre. As yet, there is no answer to this on-going campaign of vandalism - other than to continue to pay the mounting repair bills. KELLY CLARK reports.

Most company bosses would be fuming if their property's windows were broken twice in a week.

But for some Pitsea businesses it has become a way of life.

Companies based in the Pitsea market area have been clearing up shattered glass most weeks for the last 20 years.

Each year there is a new set of "bored" youngsters to take over as their older peers move on, and buildings such as Pitsea library in Maydells have been clearing up after youths since it opened its doors in 1982.

Manager Joy Sewell cannot remember a time when vandalism was not a serious problem. The broken glass which greets her most Monday mornings is just shrugged off and the clean-up operation swings into action.

She said: "We can go for six months without any trouble. Then we will get another spate of it. We know then we will be hit every weekend.

"It is difficult for staff to keep coming in to face the mess but we never give up on the children. We try to encourage them into the library to show we have better activities to offer.

"We have only ever had two break-ins since we opened. Nothing was taken so that was also put down to kids getting a kick out of just breaking in."

The library is in line for a major refit in March when security shutters will be installed.

Mrs Sewell said: "We do not know the answer to this problem. The only thing we can do is to take temptation awayway. Shutters will stop it."

Troublesome youngsters went on the rampage over Christmas and new year, smashing dozens of windows.

Forward-thinking bosses at B2 convenience store, previously 7-Eleven, in High Road, Pitsea, boarded up their windows - and theirs was the only store left untouched.

Assistant manager Hayley White said: "We are open 24-hours a day but they still try and smash our windows. It has happened even with staff here.

"We closed over Christmas for the first time and decided to board the windows up. We are pleased we did - there would have been broken glass otherwise."

Andy Fisher, manager at the council-run Pitsea swimming pool, in Northlands Pavement, was called out several times over the festive period to sort out the mess left by the vandals.

A Basildon Council spokesman said: "The Pitsea Centre suffered a particular spate of vandalism over new year when every window at the Area Housing Office was broken, along with a few at the Pitsea leisure centre and Pitsea swimming pool.

"The cost of damage in the current financial year has run into thousands of pounds."

Police, the council and business owners have stepped up their search for a solution to the problem.

The first step will be six additional CCTV cameras to try to catch the vandals in the act. Extra policing in the area has so far failed to put a stop to the crimes.

(Right)Boarded up - Pitsea swimming pool has been a frequent target

(Left) Vandalised - Pitsea library is another favourite for the vandals

Picture: MAXINE CLARKE

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