Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,922
The following is from Phil Eyden....
"Press Release: Break in at the Drop Redoubt
This week the Drop Redoubt Napoleonic fort at Dover was attacked by an organised gang. Following entry, they cut through three separate access points destroying padlocks and chains at each, and then proceeded to ransack the tool-store stealing all of the Society's valuable items and lowering them out of the fort.
The break-in was discovered on Thursday evening after a photograph was posted online showing one of the main Victorian access doors wide open.
The Society has lost a portable generator, two toolboxes, two Burco water boilers used in the café, its PA system, three petrol grass strimmers, an electric buzz saw, numerous hand tools, padlocks, drinks and more. The intruders also caused irreparable damage to storage bins in the tool-store. The total value is estimated at £2,500.
"This is the worst attack we have ever had. It is devastating news for the Society - for all the volunteers who have put so much hard work into opening the fort for the public to enjoy, and for all the public who have come to our events and given us donations. In a single night over 12 months income has been wiped out. We still hope to provide events next year, but until we can stake stock of what has happened nothing at this stage can be guaranteed."
"Stealing from a charity - how low can you go?"
The Police are working with both English Heritage and WHPS to investigate the break-in. If anyone has any information relating to the theft, please call Kent Police quoting the reference ZY/37547/15, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
The Western Heights Preservation Society charity works alongside English Heritage in caring for and maintaining the Drop Redoubt. All works by the Society volunteers are funded by donations and sales. The Society's next event is the free lecture night at 7pm at the Roundhouse Theatre at Dover Discovery Centre on the 15th January."...
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
bloody hell not again.blinking scum bag bar stools,cant they leave any thing alone.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,922
That was exactly my reaction Brian but with a few more stronger expletives.
I feel so sorry for the hard working volunteers who so little help from English Heritage or other more local organisations.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Very little anyone can do to stop thieves and/or vandals at the Drop Redoubt as it so tucked away and only the odd dog walker passes it. I believe the police now take heritage crime more seriously but they wouldn't have the capacity to patrol the area regularly.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,922
It is a shame they have to store things in such an out of public view place. Maybe they should booby-trap or electrify the place in future then any potential burglars would get an unexpected and unpleasant surprise.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
yes jan,mine was to,but had to tone it down a bit.famly forum and all that.
claymore mines might be a better option.
Andy B
- Location: dover
- Registered: 10 Nov 2012
- Posts: 1,827
Not so long ago scrap metal was favorite for thieves but now it is almost worthless so now they,re looking elsewhere for easy pickings.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,922
This is from Paul Wells............"Hi all
Now we have taken stock of the situation, we estimated that in the region of £3,000 of tools and equipment were stolen in the break-in of the Drop Redoubt. We discovered more items missing as we tidied through the devastation of the storeroom today. The headlines of what went missing so people can keep an eye out are:
Clarke 240v generator, new condition, similar to model CP1505ND
Three Gardenline Petrol Strimmers model GLBC43
Two Burco gas urns, gas bottle and four pump flasks
PA System and speakers, amplifier model SP400
A huge amount of green camoflage netting
Large orange/black toolbox with tools, drill bits, screwdriver sets
Black and Decker Scorpion Saw
Masterplug 45meter extension reel
Clarke CHL500SD Halogen Floodlights
(and for some reason Pringles, cans of drink and an industrial bag of teabags)
If anyone has any information relating to the theft, please call Kent Police quoting the reference ZY/37547/15, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Thanks for all your support and offers of help, it has been very heartwarming".........
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,922
For something that has been important enough for the BBC News I am surprised and disappointed how little response there has been on this page,
BTW there will be a collecting tin next Saturday DEC 5th in Claires old shop thanks to the Photography Group,
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-34957595?post_id=10153724992711118_10153777488721118#_=_-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 667- Registered: 6 Apr 2008
- Posts: 919
All of us at Crabble Corn Mill feel for you , as we know what its like having had the same thing happen a few years back.
Phil we managed to replace most of our tools through insurance (as I hope you will) so if you need to borrow any in the mean time please just ask. I will not list what we have on here but I am sure we can help if you need anything.
Lets hope they get the scum this time as that is what they are, Scum of the Earth.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Phil has asked us to host a collection bucket in the Mash Tun, and until Christmas (at least) the other charity boxes will be removed.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
I would be surprised if there was insurance, the Drop Redoubt is very different to the Corn Mill which has people on site much more. I would think the premium for the Drop Redoubt would be prohibitive.
Guest 667- Registered: 6 Apr 2008
- Posts: 919
Understand that Howard as I know how high the Mill's insurance is but our offer is there should we be able to help.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,922
Harry, in case he had not seen it I copied your kind offer in a message to Phil and here is his reply.............."Wow. Good old Harry. So kind"........
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 1694- Registered: 24 Feb 2016
- Posts: 1,087
Hi Jan, lots of people are responding directly via PM on the Facebook. I'm pretty certain that the guys and gals at WHPS are getting lots of offers and that the response in town on switch-on Saturday will be really good.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,922
Hi Neil, Phil said the response has been great, Harry's being a good example, my disappointment was the earlier lack of response on here..
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 977- Registered: 27 Jun 2013
- Posts: 1,031
Lots been going on in the background Jan, didn't want to release details until confirmed.
This is on
Facebook but open access so you don't need a login. Going to be a fun night as well as raise a load of money, more details and a proper poster will no doubt be issued asap but put it in your diary now, Jan 16th.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,922
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
well done,nice to hear some good news at last.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,922
It certainly is Brian.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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