Police Investigate Vandalism And Attempted Break-Ins In Ryde

(c) Leo Leisure

Police are investigating reports of vandalism, criminal damage and attempted break-ins in Ryde town centre.

The incident is believed to have taken place at around 7.30am on Saturday (4 April), when a man dressed in black, with his face covered and carrying a backpack, was captured on CCTV targeting a number of premises.

Footage shows the individual attempting to gain access to doors at the town’s cinema and bingo hall, trying several entry points before forcefully pulling on one of the bingo hall doors.

The lock was damaged, allowing entry, but the suspect fled the scene after alarms were activated.

The same individual is also believed to have carried out graffiti attacks, targeting the Leo Leisure building and a nearby telephone box outside an opticians on the High Street.

Several bus stops across Ryde have also been vandalised with graffiti, which police are linking to the same incident.

A spokesperson for Leo Leisure has criticised the damage, highlighting the impact on local businesses:

"This is the delightful person who has graffiti’d our building and the phone box outside the opticians, shattered our locks with how hard he pulled the doors and tried to get in to the bingo hall and fire exits of the cinema.

"(But they) got scared and ran when the alarms went off.

"If anyone has any information (we would) be extremely grateful as we’ve had to pay for new locks and new keys for every member of staff and will have to paint over the graffiti."

The company says it has been forced to replace locks and issue new keys to staff, as well as cover the cost of removing graffiti.

Police are now appealing for information and are asking anyone who may recognise the individual, or who has relevant information, to contact them on 101, quoting reference 44260158004.