29 August 2023 , 10:05
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A picturesque village dubbed the 'safest' in the UK has reportedly been targeted by youths in a spate of vandalous attacks.
The streets of Bocastle - located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Cornwall - have been the subject of several crimes in recent times, including the smearing of lard on a brand new playground.
Boasting stunning views and an unspoilt harbour maintained by the National Trust, its location is the safest place to live with a crime rate of just six per 1,000 residents in 2022, according to research from Quickmove Properties.
Now, after incidents of anti-social behaviour that have also seen rocks thrown through car windows and elderly people intimidated, fed up residents have spoken out in disgust.
Landlord of the Cobweb Inn, Andrew Bright, has lived in the premises for more than 50 years, taking over from his dad in years gone by.
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A pub landlord is sceptical about the village's 'safety' (CornwallLive)Asked whether the family felt it was a safe place to live, he told Cornwall Live: "You just never really know," before his wife Tracey added that she believes not all incidents have been reported to police.
"It's spates of pulling down walls, upsetting older people, breaking wing mirrors, throwing stones at cars in car parks," she said.
Pointing the finger at a group of teenagers that she's been told "have moved to the village", she added the youngsters have been "scaring" and "intimidating" the aging population.
"It's been the last six months really and it is upsetting for the older people up in the village and those being targeted. It's just not nice," she said.
The couple said Forrabury & Minster Parish Council recently splashed out thousands of pounds on the refurbishment of a car park, only for it to be covered in lard which they were "struggling to get off".
A statement by the parish council, meanwhile, confirmed the offence had been reported.
"On Sunday (August 20) a member of the public found the play area equipment vandalised. The swing, slide and climbing bars had been smeared with lard," it read.
"The vandalism has been reported to the police. Fortunately, a local resident cleared the mess up late on Sunday so it should all be usable again."
"The Parish Council urges you to report each incident however trivial to the police so they are aware of the issue that is currently facing the community."
Another resident, 66-year-old Hazel Beetles who has lived in the area throughout her whole life, said she has always felt "very safe" and hopes recent events are "isolated".
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"I think it's a real shame they feel they have to do that," she said. "But other than that it is very rare that we have trouble from anyone - adults, children or visitors."