A FALMOUTH dad has spoken out about his frustration with alleged vandals who have repeatedly targeted his home.

Dad of two Mark Hunking, who lives in the Mongleath area of Falmouth, told The Packet how over the last few weeks he's been repeatedly targetted by alleged vandals in the area. 

The problems started at the end of October last year when Mark and his family went out for a meal, only to come back and find that four panels on a fence around his home had been 'kicked in.' 

Mark told The Packet: "Two of the slats looked like they'd been punched, they were all cracked, and the other two looked like they'd been kicked in all the way up.

"I thought 'oh, it was probably just a couple of drunks from town mucking around or something.

Falmouth Packet: Mark has had to claim on his insurance for the damage to the fencesMark has had to claim on his insurance for the damage to the fences (Image: Mark Hunking)

"We phone the insurance, phoned the police and told them.

The police went on to ask whether Mark had any CCTV footage as well as to ask their neighbours whether they’d seen anything.

Mark continued: "We interviewed the neighbours who said they heard a group of youths running up and down laughing, but hadn’t thought anything of it.

“So we got them repaired, then last Friday we were at my daughter’s house, my son came home from work, let the one of dogs out into the garden, and two of the fence panels had been kicked in again.

Falmouth Packet: Police told Mark they would increase their patrols of the areaPolice told Mark they would increase their patrols of the area (Image: Mark Hunking)

“So obviously, we’re getting quite annoyed now. I phoned the police again and told them this isn’t the first time.

“They asked if anyone had a vendetta against us and I told them ‘Not as far as I know’ and asked again if we had any CCTV or a neighbourhood watch scheme, and I said no.”

Police went on to tell Mark they would increase their patrols of the area but, due to the lack of evidence, that was about all they could do.

Falmouth Packet: The damage has had a knock-on affect due to insurance pay outs The damage has had a knock-on affect due to insurance pay outs (Image: Mark Hunking)

“I had to contact the insurance again and they had to pay out for another two fences.

“The next thing I know, on Saturday night, my wife was home with one of the dogs and was up in the bedroom with the window open.

“She heard some laughter outside so she looked out the window and saw four youths, two girls two boys, walking up passed the fence.

“I don’t know whether it was a coincidence but they stopped outside where one of the fences was party damaged. Obviously my wife was alert to this so she looked out the window and she actually saw one of the youths pull his foot back ready to kick it.

“One of the girls must have seen the light was on as she grabbed him as if to say ‘no don’t, there’s someone in.’

Falmouth Packet: Multiple signs in the area also appear to have been targeted Multiple signs in the area also appear to have been targeted (Image: Mark Hunking)

“With that, my wife ran down and opened the door and as soon as the door opened they ran off.”

After posting about the incident on Facebook, Mark has since found out that a local shop owner has had her sign damaged multiple times as well as noticedcing that several other signage boards in the area have also been damaged.

Falmouth Packet: Mark says four youths were spotted outside where the alleged vandalism took placeMark says four youths were spotted outside where the alleged vandalism took place (Image: Mark Hunking)

Mark added: “I can’t see what’s the pleasure behind it? What’s the pleasure of doing that? Are they trying to impress some girls? I don’t know.

“I just don’t see how walking up to someone’s fence and giving it a punch is satisfying.

“Every time we claim on the insurance, it goes up, so it’s got a knock on effect. We can’t really afford it, but we have to because we’ve got three little dogs.”