Southsea mother of teen vandal offers to pay for damage

A number of models were badly damaged

The mother of a teenager who smashed up a model village has offered to pay half of the damages.

Southsea Model Village was vandalised on the evening of 17 December by two teenage boys, wearing face coverings.

Hampshire police said the pair caused about £1,000 worth of damage.

Mark Wilson, who works at the tourist attraction, said he was contacted by one of the boys' mothers who offered to help with repair work and pay half the costs.

In a statement on Facebook, Mr Wilson said: "We had a call from one of the boys' mothers admitting her son was one of the two that broke in and vandalised the village."

Mr Wilson confirmed since posting CCTV footage, the two boys had been identified.

He said their names and schools have been passed to police.

Part of the Southsea Model Village sign was also vandalised

Mr Wilson added: "I just want to say thank you to all who helped us catch these two. We will be pressing charges against them both."

A spokeswoman for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary confirmed an investigation was ongoing.

She added: "We would like to thank the community for their support with our enquiries so far. I can confirm that there have been no arrests at this stage."

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