Managing director of MBM Building Services, Peter Manley, says he is about to quit his premises at the Lady Lodge Arts Centre, in Orton Goldhay, after yobs broke in and smashed windows and the toilets.

Over the last three months yobs have kicked in the skylights and stolen computers worth £6,000 in one raid before returning to steal the replacements.

Landlord Peterborough City Council has boarded up the windows but officials say they are unable to secure the site properly.

What do you think about the vandalism at the Lady Lodge centre?
Comment below, email us: news@ peterboroughtoday.co.uk or telephone the newsdesk 01733 588719.
-------------------------------------

Mr Manley said he felt "hounded out".

He said: "I feel disgusted in many ways. The council promised to help us in every way but we have ended up under siege at the centre.

"The CCTV is switched off, the windows are boarded up, people are even asking us if we have moved premises."


Related articles:
Arts centre ravaged by blaze, 25 February 2008.

Future of Orton arts centre in doubt after crime spree, 23 July 2008.

Lady Lodge Arts Centre: haven for anti-social behaviour, 23 July 2008.


Anti-social behaviour
Police upped patrols after the incidents and Neighbourhood Police Sergeant Nick Church said anti-social behaviour and youths drinking near to the Lady Lodge Arts Centre had been made a priority at the last police panel meeting.

He added: "We have been working on short-term solutions such as increased patrols but now we must look for medium to long-term answers for the site.

"We will be talking at length to our partner agencies about the future of the site and we are doing everything that we can in the meantime."

Mr Manley says this has not been enough and added: "We have staff in fear of being on their own at the site and I came back from holiday to face yet more destruction. We are sad to be leaving as it was never our intention."

Following the latest spate of vandalism it had been feared that the family fun day at the centre on Saturday would be cancelled.

But council spokesman Gareth Roberts said: "The giant family fun day on Saturday was always planned to take place on green space adjoining the site, so this vandalism has in no way disrupted this event.

"We are exploring our options for the future potential of the building and will be consulting with all concerned."

Last month, council head of strategic property Andrew Edwards admitted that the building had seen better days but offered no commitment as to the future of the building