Vandalism at the newly repaired men’s toilets at the station was witnessed by two members of Rye Youth Zone who called the police and helped clear up the mess.
It happened at on Friday evening September 19 with many witnesses, including a few of Rye Youth Zone’s Friday Night Project as it was shortly after youth club had finished and they were at the station waiting for their buses.
Upon realising the toilets were being vandalised two of the Youth Zone’s female attendees immediately phoned the police to report it. They also urged the taxi drivers to do the same.
The two young men came out of the toilets with the large rolls of toilet paper and proceeded to throw them all over the road outside the toilets, on the paths and in front of the station. Once they realised the police had been called they ran away.
Sophie Thorpe from Rye Youth Zone said she was proud of the two young women who attend youth club regularly. “Not only did they phone the police, they also picked up all of the toilet roll litter and put it in the bin. I admire their community spirit and it is wonderful to think that they wanted to take care and show their pride of their town. Often youngsters make news by doing wrong, but here it’s because they didn’t walk away and they tidied up the mess left behind by those who just don’t care.”
Anyone else who witnessed the vandalism is being urged to contact Sussex Police.
Image Credits: Kt bruce .
This makes me really proud. All credit to the girls, and as Sophie says, they’re a real credit to Rye & District Youth Club. I hope it’s proof that if the community supports our young people, our young people will support the community.
Did anyone think to take a photo of the yobs vandalising the toilets? If so, shame them in the Rye News!
I agree totally with Sophie’s comments and I have to say, as Mayor of Rye, how proud I am of these two young women.
They set a shining example of selfless civic duty that we all should aspire to.
On behalf of the Town I would like to say a big thank you to the both of them.
They should get a community award Rye Town Council….
I do hope someone managed to take a photo of the boys.
Credit goes to the girls and Sophie who believed in our youth and created a space for them to get a sense of worth and get inspired
Kudos to both girls for their actions: many would be too afraid of repercussions, but they proved that the vandals’ actions were unacceptable and would not be tolerated. I hope that the girls’ parents/carers are proud of them, too.
The boys are known and have been reported to the police, as the article states.
Nobody wants to experience anti-social behaviour, nor to see our beautiful town’s scarce amenities trashed. But we have to aspire to a better response to these acts of criminality than merely naming and shaming children. Children who may or may not be fighting their own lonely battles with little support… Call me a bleeding heart if you will, but like all the ills of our society, I think we have to pay attention to the disease, not just the symptoms.
I must admit I was waiting for a train in the summer which was delayed and my friend and I decided to have a coffee at the station. I live in Rye and rarely have a need to use the toilets. However I was disgusted at the state of them and to think that quite often this is the first representation of the town visitors see and we really need to get on top of this as a priority! I must confess this was back in August so this may have changed – let’s hope it has for all our sakes!
I hope these two girls who did the right thing do not fall victim to being ostracised and bullied by their peers. Any hint of this needs identifying and nipping in the bud.
If these boys are known to the police it would be appropriate for them to be charged with Criminal Damage – pour encourage les autres – ie send out a message!
The same thing happened on the afternoon of Thursday September 25th. Toilet rolls everywhere. Floor covered in water. Bizarrely a woman also came out with a shopping buggy.