ARSON ATTACK IN WEST END

THE "LAMP & MANTLE" PUB AFTER THE FIRE (left) AND AS IT IS NOW (right) FENCED IN

It's a sad reflection on our society and in particular on our village when we have to report a wanton arson attack. But this is exactly what happened on the night of Monday 15th July 2002 at around 11.30pm. The Lamp and Mantle public house whose closure was reported in the last edition of Westender, went up in flames, only the prompt reaction of the Fire Brigade saved the building from total destruction! After closure the pub had been boarded up awaiting the outcome of a last minute preservation order placed by Eastleigh Borough Council. The site is due for re-development into flats, but this had to wait until the Government either sanctioned the order for preservation or not. West End has been the target for ever increasing vandalism in recent months, with the centre of much of the mindless vandalism and graffiti being at the One Stop convenience store and adjoining fast food Sizzler, resulting in the total trashing of an abandoned car and an invalids wheelchair in the car park in full view of the village recently. What we need are "Bobbies" back on the beat, based locally in local village police stations - not swanning around in patrol cars and missing what really is happening on the ground, but pounding the beat locally, with a good local knowledge of the village and its residents and based in the village, that is the only way to stamp out this mindless trend. Perhaps in the meantime while we are waiting for the Hampshire Police Authority to act the Parish Council could employ "Parish Constables" with the power of arrest to carry out additional patrols in the village and report incidents! We certainly pay enough Council Tax, so how about some service and a little policing!!!!