A phone box which has been converted into a children’s library has been shut after it was vandalised just hours after repairs were made following a previous incident.
Located in Roman Road, Aldington, the community bookshelf was smashed up twice this month with the second incident leaving the parish council with no choice but to close it until further notice due to shattered glass everywhere.
Cllr Linda Harman (Ash Ind) says she cannot understand why someone would destroy the phone box, which is used by many families in the village.
“The old telephone box was refurbished as a children’s library kiosk several years ago,” she said.
“It is regularly used by families and it is beyond my comprehension that someone would deliberately destroy it, leaving broken glass, including a smashed beer bottle as well as the shattered safety glass of the window panes, in a place that is visited by children.
“This is the second occasion that this has happened.
“The first time on December 11, our parish handyman repaired the three broken panels with Perspex and ordered new glass panels.
“He fitted them on December 20.
“Just as the repair was completed, the vandals struck again, only worse.”
The Ashford Borough Council (ABC) ward member and chairwoman of Aldington & Bonnington Parish Council is urging anyone with information to contact the police.
She said: “This time we have had to take the kiosk out of use for a while, which is very sad for families in Aldington and demoralising for those of us who work to enrich our village.
“I urge anyone with information to contact the police to stop this anti-social behaviour in its tracks.”
A spokesperson for the police confirmed officers were contacted about the second incident on December 21 at about 11am.
“Police received a report of criminal damage to a former telephone box in Aldington,” they said.
“Several glass panels were broken to the phone box, which is used as a book library and located in the Roman Road area.
“Anyone with information should contact police on 01843 222289 quoting DP-60424-23-4646-01.”
