PROBLEMS in Wey Hill escalated this week as hooded youths threw a block of wood through a shop window. The incident happened in the early hours of Sunday and is the most serious offence to take place in the road following a string of complaints about anti-social behaviour. Police believe the trouble took place between 1 am and 2 am. The smashed window will cost £1,000 to repair. The shop, which is currently empty, has previously sold artists' materials and stereo equipment, and is owned by Valerie Chapple. She told The Herald: "There's been a lot of trouble going on in Wey Hill for a long time and something needs to be done about it. "Lion Green has become a no-go area as well and it's not uncommon for the youngsters to go around kicking the doors of properties in Wey Hill on a Saturday night." Reg Gulliver, who lives above the shop with his girlfriend, added: "I heard a loud bang and the sound of smashing glass. "I looked out of the window and could make out four people heading up towards the top of Wey Hill. "It looked as though they had probably had too much to drink." Surrey Police released a statement appealing for anyone with any information on the attack to come forward. The statement revealed that a group of youths was seen in the area, including four young men wearing hooded tops and two young women, all aged between 16 and 18. It is not the first time youngsters have caused trouble in Wey Hill, and local shop owners say they have become used to seeing youths on the street late into the night. Maria Davy, who owns wine bar XYZ opposite the damaged shop, agreed that there were a lot of youths around at the weekend, but said the area was no different from anywhere else. She said: "There are always youngsters hanging around the green, but it happens on every street corner around the world." Mrs Chapple added that she did not believe that shop owners on Wey Hill were receiving enough support from the relevant authorities. She said: "Tubs of flowers have been put on the hill but they're just in the way. "It means I can't use my forecourt for parking, and how long will it be before these start getting thrown through windows?" A local resident, who wanted to remain anonymous through fear of being targeted, said he believed that Wey Hill must address its problems before moving forward. In a letter to The Herald he said: "There is an ongoing theme of anti-social behaviour on and around Wey Hill and residents are heartily sick of it. "Of course we should celebrate Wey Hill, but not before practical solutions have been found to real issues." It is the latest setback for the area, which has become used to bad news this year, with shops closing as well as an increase in anti- social behaviour. Earlier this month residents were rocked by the news that Lloyds Bank and Coombes ironmongers would be closing down. But Haslemere Chamber of Trade is hoping to breathe new life into Haslemere's shops, including those in Wey Hill. A special Haslemere Independents' Day will take place on July 4, an event spearheaded by the president of Haslemere Chamber of Trade, Arya Ingvorsen. She said: "Haslemere's independents work hard to give the area a great character and should be appreciated. "There will be loads of things happening on July 4, including an open-top touring bus complete with a Dixie jazz band which will tour the area, stopping off at key points in Haslemere and its villages." The Chamber of Trade is hopeful that this event will help to turn around the fortunes of Wey Hill. Surrey Police would like to hear from anyone with information on the window- smashing incident or who witnessed the vandalism taking place. Witnesses are urged to contact Dc Jackie Green on 0845 125 2222 quoting crime reference C/06/ 10838. If preferred, calls can be made anonymously and free of charge to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. l See letters, page 11.
