A 56-year-old man has consented to compensate the Conservators of Ashdown Forest with over £2,700 for harming numerous parking signs in the area. This incident unfolded when police apprehended the man on suspicion of criminal damage in October, following reports of a car park sign being detached and discarded into nearby bushes. The man subsequently confessed to damaging 20 parking signs in the forest.
To resolve the matter, the man and the Conservators of Ashdown Forest reached an understanding, resulting in the man being issued a Community Resolution. This resolution, a form of restorative justice typically applied to minor offences, required him to reimburse the cost of the damaged signs, amounting to £2,752.92. Community Resolutions are solutions negotiated between the victim and the suspect, avoiding the need for formal court proceedings, and necessitate agreement from both parties involved.
PC Pete Hall, from Sussex Police’s rural crime team, said: “There are consequences for behaviour of this kind.
“Anyone identified as being responsible for damaging or defacing signage on the forest will be dealt with.
“This particular individual has been hit with a hefty financial penalty.”
This was part of a series of incidents of damage caused to signs at Ashdown Forest, from a period starting in November last year.
Anyone who witnesses criminal damage or has any information relating to it is urged to contact police online or by calling 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency.
