'Moronic' vandals cause 'heartbreaking' damage in Petersfield crime spree

Businesses in Petersfield town centre have been counting the cost after “moronic and senseless” vandals left a trail of destruction around the High Street late on Sunday.

Bank Holiday Monday was a blue one for traders around Pages Court they arrived to find a vintage lamppost outside Margo’s had been snapped and two signs belonging to Bambino Baby in pieces.

Bay trees outside Restaurant Six were also ripped out and the Physic Garden was also targeted, with bedding plants being pulled out and bins and obelisks being pushed over.

Video footage that is said to show the vandalism being carried out has been widely shared online. The footage has been passed on to the police.

Jasmine Kerr of recently-opened children’s clothing and gift shop, Margo’s, called the damage “heartbreaking” and hopes the snapped lamppost outside her unit can be repaired.

She said: The lamppost is part of Pages Court and it would be a shame if it can’t be fixed. They also damaged two signs around the corner – it’s just so sad.”

John Wade-Palmer, head gardener at the Physic Garden, said it was first time the attraction has been targeted by vandals in at least a decade.

He said: “All the litter bins had been turned over, all the taps were on, some bedding plants were ripped out and some obelisks were pushed over.

“Thankfully, most of the damage was superficial and thanks to our volunteers you wouldn’t know it happened, but it was just moronic and senseless behaviour.”

He added: “I’ve been here for ten years and we’ve had littering, but never had vandalism before.”