VANDALS have caused havoc at a brand new community centre in Saltash, smashing roof tiles, breaking windows, destroying plants and trying to start fires.

They have carried on their campaign to such an extent that the building has been ringed by boulders and a security fence to stop further incidents.

At the recent Saltash town council monthly meeting Sue Hooper told fellow councillors that she had visited the site with Caradon council representatives and the police. Members also heard that despite the security fencing people have still been gaining entry underneath the barricades - which means that although the play area has been cordoned off nuts and bolts had been removed from climbing frames.

The centre was built as part of a legal agreement tied up in planning permission given for the Latchbrook development in the late l980s. Steve Foster, Caradon council's forward planning countryside and leisure services manager, said initially the firm involved was Beazer Homes, but it is now Persimmon Homes. The centre is eventually to be handed over to Caradon council ownership, with the intention of a local community group being set up to run it for the benefit of residents.

Steve Tait, a town and district councillor, told town councillors that complaints about the vandalism were understandable because people wished to use the hall (which was finished in the autumn of 2000). However, this will not be possible until repairs have been carried out and the long process of legally transferring the building has been carried out.

Joyce Mepsted said the keyholder of the property had been alerted on a number of occasions due to the damage, and local residents are so worried about the situation they are seeking the support of the town council for an early transfer of ownership.

Children

Mr Foster said there was optimism that the legal issues may be sorted out within about three weeks, but the hall would need to be repaired to health and safety standards.

He spoke of children apparently gaining access to the roof and pulling up tiles, a fuse box being ripped apart although luckily the electricity was not switched on at the time, and a socket set being used to take apart play equipment - even though there was a probability children may gain access somehow to use it.

He said he hoped the community centre will soon be handed over, when the problems are solved, and a sense of ownership will be generated.

He said it is anticipated the centre will be used by a wide range of groups.