Former Isle Of Wight Council Leader Criticises Police Response To Ryde Town Hall Break-In

The former leader of the Isle of Wight Council has criticised police over their response to a break-in at the former Ryde Town Hall on the night of a fire.

Cllr Phil Jordan said the caretaker of the Grade II-listed building on Lind Street contacted Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary after the break-in on August 27.

He claimed officers attended but “seemed reluctant to do very much about it”.

His comments were made at a meeting of Ryde Town Council on Tuesday, September 22, almost three weeks after the fire.

A 15-year-old boy has since been arrested on suspicion of arson.

During the meeting, Cllr Lou Temel asked whether the building had now been properly secured.

Cllr Jordan said it was secure “in so far as it is able to be secured”, but said there had been complications involving the building’s conservation requirements.

He said the council’s conservation officer had requested that some windows be left open to allow the building to be aired.

Cllr Jordan said many windows had been boarded up internally, but that the boards had been fitted without screws being attached to the frames.

He said the caretaker was inside the building when the break-in happened and contacted police.

Cllr Jordan claimed officers arrived but were reluctant to take further action, adding that youths found inside the building had previously been apprehended, had their names and addresses taken, and were then allowed to leave.

He also suggested the future of the building could involve an auction or its conversion into apartments.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service after the meeting, Cllr Jordan said the town hall could have been saved for Ryde by the council acquiring it from the current owners and supporting a community project.

He said community interest company Ryde Revival was ready to restore the building for community use with grant funding.

Ryde Revival previously proposed turning the building into a “hall for all”.

However, in July, Ryde Neighbourhood Board unanimously decided against pursuing its purchase, citing financial risks and uncertainty over its condition.

Cllr Jordan said he believed bringing the building back into community ownership could have reduced the levels of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage.

He also disputed the suggestion that the town hall should be treated as a derelict building, saying it was an empty building which should be regarded differently.

Marcus Cator, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s area commander for the Island, said trespassing is not a criminal offence, although police will investigate offences including criminal damage.

Superintendent Cator said the force would, where appropriate, consider outcomes that do not unnecessarily criminalise children, including Community Resolutions.

He said the management of derelict buildings is the responsibility of landowners, who must ensure they are appropriately secured.

He added that the investigation into the incident remains ongoing, with all available lines of enquiry being explored.