Scouts vow to come back stronger after their building was vandalised
19/01/2026
There’s a fear the floor will need replacing after it was covered with paint and chemicals
A local Scout Group say they will come back stronger after thieves trashed their building.
The vandalism at Bodicote Scout Group’s headquarters was discovered on January 8 when youngsters returned for a meeting after the Christmas break.
Group Leader Volunteer, Helen Barnby-Porrit, described the scene that greeted them. “It was just mindless acts of vandalism,” she said. “There were first aid kits, toilet rolls, all sorts thrown all over the floor. Things were stuffed down the toilets. A lot of food was creatively decorating our kitchen.
“Paint and chemicals had been spilled all over the floor.”
The building is normally used six nights a week by the more than 70 young people in Bodicote Scout Group. Its also used by the village’s Guides and local Explorer Scouts Unit.
With the building currently out of use trips out have been arranged and meetings in other locations so the children don’t miss out.
A clear-up operation began this weekend with the leaders, young people, parents and other volunteers working towards getting the building operational again.
Helen said: “We have managed to clean the walls a bit and clean some of the damage off the floor, but the key problem we’re now having is a couple of the toilets were damaged and the floor of the hall is chemical and paint damaged, so it’s likely to need replacing.
“Once the insurance has looked at it and seen the state of the floor, we thoroughly anticipate we’re going to be out of the hut for quite some time while that gets replaced. Obviously replacing a whole floor is going to be quite costly.”
As well as repairing the damage the group will also have to replace much of the equipment that is used at weekly meetings and events.
Any volunteers or local companies who might be able to assist getting the building operational again are asked to contact the group by emailing [email protected]. Financial contributions can also be made here.
Of those responsible for the vandalism Helen said: “They’ve really damaged a vibrant community of scouts. We have children from six years upwards so it’s very distressing for them.
“We are determined to build back up and come back stronger if we can.”
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: “At around 6.30pm on 8 January, we were made aware of a burglary in White Post Road, Bodicote.
“The incident took place some time between 19 December 2025 and 8 January 2026. A messy search was carried out, items were stolen and the building was left vandalised.
“Anyone who may have information about this incident should call 101 or make an online report, via our website, quoting reference 43260012002.”
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
Reader's opinions
