Blackburn building targeted by 'vendetta vandal' (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Blackburn building targeted by 'vendetta vandal'

12:00pm Monday 29th October 2012 in News By Vanessa Cornall, Crime reporter

A SERIES of suspected revenge attacks on a council-run child services building is being investigated by police.

Officers have released a CCTV image of a man, they believe could be a disgruntled dad or ex-employee, after the late night attacks on the Blackburn with Darwen Council building.

In recent weeks, police have responded to five incidents at the Ainsworth Street site, known as the Exchange building, including an arson attack, the building being covered in paint, bricks being thrown at the windows and two separate instances where pool balls were launched at the property.

In the latest incident more than £5,000 of damage was caused to 39 of the town centre building’s windows.

Sgt Dave Clarke, of Blackburn town centre policing team, said: “The latest incident involved a full set of red and yellow pool balls being thrown at the windows of the building.

“We have recovered the balls and they look well used. The offender has even rethrown several of the balls after they have smashed the windows and bounced back.

“We are keeping an open mind about why these attacks are happening, but we think it could be a disgruntled former employee or a parent with an axe to grind.”

This attack took place around 11.30pm on October 14.

Prior to this there have four other incidents going back as far as August.

On one occassion accelerant was poured through the letterbox before a rolled up newspaper was posted through the door.

During a separate incident bricks were thrown at the building smashing a series of windows.

The town centre building’s outside shutters were also covered in a cream emulsion paint.

Sgt Clarke, said: “I appeal to anyone who can recognise this man from the image to come forward and talk to us.

“I would also appeal to any pub landlords who are missing a set of well used pool balls or American pool balls.

“Even if they have lent them to someone but not had them back, I urge them to come forward and help us with our inquiries.

“These attacks are causing a lot if disruption to the people who work in this building.

“What the person who is doing this may not realise is that while resources are being used to repair damage to a building like this, Blackburn with Darwen Council children's services is not using that funding to help and support vulnerable young people.

“This offender must remember that, whatever they feel about it.”

The suspect is described as white, aged between 30 and 40 years old, and during the most recent incident he was wearing jeans, a dark jacket and a beanie hat.

A spokesman from Blackburn with Darwen Council refused to say whether security at the building had been increased.

He said: “This is an on-going police investigation and as such it would be inappropriate to comment at this stage.”

Anyone with information should call police on the town centre policing office on 01254 353576 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.