Woggle we do about vandals?

The group have become frustrated at vandals who continue to smash windows at the former miners welfare club, causing costs to spiral.

Leaders have had to consistently come up with new ways of raising money and recently held a summer fair, which brought in around £800.

Assistant scout leader Carol Lloyd, from Shakespeare Avenue, has been involved with the group for more than 20 years.

“It’s very demoralising - sometimes I want to sit down and cry,” she said.

“We are constantly fundraising to replace windows. Every time we replace a window we know it’s going to get broken.”

“We are trying to do something for the kids but others don’t seem to be of the same mind.”

“We want to make people aware of the problems we are facing. It’s got to the stage where we cannot replace every one.”

The group say they are having to phone the police on a near weekly occasion due to persist problems.

Scout leader Richard Cobham from Baker Street said it is very disappointing cycle.

“It’s become a major problem for us,” he said. “All my ground floor windows were broken at one stage - all double glazing panels - and nine have been broken upstairs.”

The scout hut, in the Model Village, is equipped with a CCTV camera on the exterior of the building.

Bolsover Council’s cabinet member for community safety Brian Murray-Carr said he was aware of the problems the scouts face.

“This is a case of pure vandalism against a group that provides excellent activities for young people within the local community,” said councillor Murray-Carr.

“We would ask that the scout leaders contact us with details of when these incidents occur so our CAN Rangers can monitor the area more frequently with our mobile CCTV van so we can help catch the culprits.”

Derbyshire Police confirmed its officers are investigating a number of reports of criminal damage at the property.

PC Martyn Whyte, safer neighbourhoods officer for the Creswell area, said: “We are taking these issues seriously and have increased patrols in the area as well as continuing our inquiries.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on the non-emergency number 101.