Vandals target Hemsby man who rescued house from coastal erosion
The culprits smashed windows and daubed crude graffiti on his walls
A homeowner battling coastal erosion on the Norfolk coast has faced a fresh blow after his home was attacked by vandals.
The incident comes just 18 months after Lance Martin’s bungalow, which was teetering on the cliff edge at Hemsby, was successfully moved inland.
But following the damage, his hopes of one day returning to his home have been dashed.
He has since reported the crime to the police and the act of vandalism has left locals reeling in anger.
The culprits smashed windows in the home and also daubed crude graffiti on his walls.
The 66-year-old, a former Grenadier guard, managed to save his home from being washed away in March last year after volunteers and business owners helped move it back from the edge of the cliff.
He had hoped to permanently move it to the Marrans, but its future is now uncertain.
Mr Martin is currently living in temporary accommodation and was trying to raise money to repair his home.
He has racked up debts of more than £18,000 during the move operation and is in “serious financial hardship,” according to the Anglia Press Agency.
"We never thought vandalism would be a factor"
Hemsby county councillor James Bensley said the community has been left in shock following the incident.
He said: “Our biggest challenge has always been the sea and erosion – we never thought vandalism would be a factor.
“Everyone knows how important Lance’s story is to Hemsby. To have this thrown into the mix is horrible and sickening.
“The community of Hemsby is really supportive of each other but acts like this are so disheartening.”
Mr Martin is due to join the Sir David Amess UK Children’s Parliament this Saturday at The Dunes in Lodge Park, where an ’emergency cobra meeting’ is being held to discuss the wider problems of North Sea erosion.