A NATURE reserve was damaged by vandals in an evening wrecking spree.

Bobbit's Hole, in Dovercourt, was targeted by hoodlums at about 6.10pm yesterday (Sunday, July 21).

The yobs were caught on a CCTV camera knocking a 12metre-long gazebo to the ground and destroying hand-made signs around the reserve.

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

Wrecked - The mess left behind by the yobs Pictures: Maria Fowler

The gazebo and signs, with answers to a quiz, were going to be used for the Bobbit's Hole open day on Sunday, August 4.

It will cost the Harwich Society hundreds of pounds to replace the gazebo.

Members of the society spent this morning cleaning up the damage.

Colin Farnell, chairman of the Harwich Society, said it was a "frustrating" incident.

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

Ruined - The hand made signs with answers to a quiz were damaged too 

He said: "Bobbit's Hole is there for the community.

"It's there for young people and these people have wrecked it.

"We put the gazebo up for school children who visit as it provides rain cover and shade."

He said the CCTV footage showed four people carrying sticks looking like they were going to hit something.

He said: "One of them got hold of the gazebo poles and bent them.

"The gazebo was put up for the schools to visit and for the open day next weekend."

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

Vandalism - The hoodlums left a trail of mess 

The CCTV camera was installed about four years ago following a spate of vandalism at the nature reserve.

In 2015 vandals threw memorial benches into a pond, kicked over signs and destroyed trees and duck houses.

This is the first time the footage has been viewed since the camera was installed.

Essex Police have been contacted for comment.