Village 'lost for words' after Christmas vandalism

Villagers in Kent are "gutted" after Christmas decorations at several properties were damaged over the weekend.

Kent Police said two people had been arrested following several reports of vandalism to Christmas displays in Cliffsend, near Ramsgate.

Sam Pooley, chairman of the Cliffsend Village Hall, told the BBC Christmas lights, which cost thousands of pounds, were "smashed up" at the community hub on Saturday night.

"We're gutted," he said. "We're absolutely lost for words."

"It is not about the lights or the money," Mr Pooley continued. "It is about the time and effort we have put in to make it [the village hall] nice for everyone."

Kent Police said the incidents happened in the Cliffsend area between Friday 13 and Saturday 14 December.

The force added a teenage boy and girl were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and taken into custody shortly before midnight on Saturday.

Mr Pooley said he was up until 3:00 GMT on Sunday cleaning up the "carnage" at the village hall, which he said volunteers had raised money to refurbish.

He said roof tiles were broken, a window had been kicked, while a flag pole had been snapped in half and sandbags thrown off the roof.

"We're a little village. We're volunteers who are trying to do the best for the community," the 46-year-old added.

Mr Pooley said he and his wife, Natasha, a trustee at the village hall, have had "hundreds" of messages from people across Thanet offering to help or donate their Christmas decorations.