Owner of former Fareham pub site '˜disheartened' by vandals causing £2,000 worth of damage

Peter Barnett bought The Hoeford Pub in Gosport Road, Fareham back in August and has been renovating the building ever since in order to open a nursery.

But over the last two and half months, yobs have broken in, breaking fixtures, fittings and smashing windows.

Peter said: '˜It is emotionally draining having to pick up the pieces and clean up every time we come back to the site.

'˜We have had to board it up while working on it which has turned it into an eyesore.

'˜It is really disheartening and worrying that people have trespassed and done this damage including smashing all the lights on the bottom floor and letting off the fire extinguishers.' 

Workmen on the site have spotted three youths who climbed onto a flat roof and smashed four windows on the first floor, including a unique stained glass window. 

The latest incident happened at around 1.15pm on Monday November 11. 

Peter added: '˜I am not concerned for when we finish the nursery because we have installed CCTV and there will be alarms and other protection but it is a shame a group have done such damage while we renovate the building.'

A police spokesman said: '˜We are appealing for witnesses and information after around £2,000 worth of damage was caused to a building that is currently being renovated in Fareham.  '˜If you have any information, please contact 101 quoting reference 44180434014. '˜Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, quoting the same reference.'