Vandals Strike For Third Time At Littleport Community Centre

A COMMUNITY centre in Littleport which provides vital facilities for hundreds of young people in the village fell victim to vandals for a third time last week.

The vandals struck overnight on Thursday (Nov 19), smashing windows and causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage to the Young People Littleport (YPL) centre on Granby Street, the third such attack on the community centre since it was set up.

The centre is staffed by more than 20 local volunteers and relies on charitable donations to help provide education and a safe environment for local people.

YPL will face a tough year ahead, however, as funds earmarked for improvements will have to be channelled into introducing new security measures instead.

Centre volunteer Phil Malkin, told the Ely Standard: "It is so frustrating when I arrive here in the mornings and find that vandals have broken in or smashed windows. This centre is for the community but it doesn't seem to make a difference to these vandals.

"The money we were going to use to help improve the centre will now have to be used on installing metal shutters and possibly CCTV."

Installing new security measures is expected to cost the charity around �1500 and comes after thieves stole hundreds of pounds worth of equipment in a raid on the centre late last year.

Despite the setback Mr Malkin insists that the centre will continue to push forward with improvement plans, but is hoping that people will come forward and help with much-needed donations,

"We have just had eight new computers put into our IT suite and we are hoping to continue to refurbish the second floor of the building, but we do need help from the public and I'm hoping that people will come forward and offer their support."

If you would like you make a donation to YPL visit www.yplittleport.co.uk or contact the Ely Standard.

6646: Volunteer Phil Malkin inspects the damage at YPL in Littleport.

Photo: HELEN DRAKE.