Vandals target Popham Airfield again (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Vandals target Popham Airfield again

10:08am Wednesday 6th February 2013 in Local By Chris Gregory

OFFICERS arrested two men after vandals targeted Popham Airfield for the second time in ten days.

The yobs broke in to the airfield just off the A303 between 9pm on Monday, February 4 and 2am on Tuesday, February 5.

They broke into hangars, storage areas and the airfield clubhouse, and stole tools, generators and aviation. Buildings and aircraft have also been damaged.

The previous raid took place on Sunday, January 27. On that occasion, the vandals flooded a bathroom, threw food around, smashed items, set off fire extinguishers and sprayed graffiti on the aircraft.

Rural Safer Neighbourhoods Inspector Darren Rawlings said: “These burglaries have had a devastating effect on all those who work at and use the facilities at Popham Airfield.

“We are working closely with the management at the airfield and extra patrols which were put in place since the first incident occurred, will continue.

“Officers from my local beat teams are working alongside CID officers to thoroughly investigate these crimes and bring the offenders to justice.”

A 35-year-old man from Basingstoke has been arrested and released with no further action.

A 25-year-old man from Basingstoke has been arrested and is currently in police custody.

Anyone with information on the raids can contact Basingstoke CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

For more on this story, read The Gazette on Thursday, February 7.