Kingaroy Scout den vandalised
MALICIOUS attacks of vandalism are becoming a tragic tradition for the Kingaroy Scouts.
Not even a week after school holidays started, the right side of the Kingaroy scout den was plastered with red and black spraypaint.
Scouts Australia district commissioner Christine Littlejohns said senseless attacks by vandals had become a frequent occurrence.
"Every school holidays, our den is vandalised or broken into," she said. "It really is sad that these low-lifes feel the need to do this.
"The graffiti and vandalism to the club is just totally senseless."
The Kingaroy Rotary Club donated labour to fit security bars to the den in September, after repeated break-ins and damage.
"Thankfully they didn't break in this time," Mrs Littlejohns said.
"The Rotary Club did a great job. But it seems, if they can't get in, they will just damage the outside."
The scout leader is calling for harsher penalties to people caught vandalising.
"We shouldn't be soft on these offenders anymore," she said.
"If kids get caught for vandalism, they should be made to clean it up to see how long it takes to fix the damage they have done.
"I don't think they understand the financial strain and emotional toll it can have on the club and its members."
Scouts club members hoped to remove the graffiti before the club reopened in early February.
Kingaroy police Senior Sergeant Duane Franks urged anyone with any information to pass it on to Kingaroy police station. Or to report any information anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1300333000.
