Continual break-ins cause Penshurst cycle venue owner to sell up

THE OWNER of Penshurst Off-Road Cycling (Porc) which has been plagued by break-ins is selling up.

Mike Westphal said he had "had enough" of clearing up after thieves and vandals who had caused "losses in excess of £100,000" – but he estimated the actual cost of the crimes was far greater because they had forced temporary club closures.

In the past six weeks it has had seven break-ins, the most recent on May 17 when thieves broke into steel sea containers to steal food and confectionary.

"They have made life so difficult that it's not worth carrying on," said Mr Westphal. "They have taken everything from generators and chainsaws to timing equipment worth £5,000 each but the last seven times has just been smashing the place to bits to get at Pot Noodles."

The 59-year-old businessman, who started the club 17 years ago, said the current economic climate made it impossible to borrow money to pay for a security system and he had "no choice" but to give up.

"You can keep building things up again, week in week out and it gets to you," he said. "I can't borrow a penny. No-body will lend me money at the moment, I'm in a catch 22 situation.

"We don't receive any subsidies and we have to compete with Bedgebury Forest, whose cycling club is subsidised by the Forestry Commission, as well as being robbed."

The off-road venue see several thousand visitors every year use its bike tracks from daredevils attempting jumps and circuits to families enjoying a cross country ride.

Mr Westphal is currently consulting estate agents about putting the 44-acres of woodland and three houses on the market. It spans three valleys where Mr Westphal has created 8km of mountain bike trails and a downhill course.

The area, which was once the home of the Governor General of India Viscount Hardinge, has twice hosted the national mountain bike championships.

Mr Westphal said: "If anyone wants to buy a place with the most beautiful view in Kent, get in touch. I would much rather it remains a cycle track so I would like to hear from any cycling organisations who are interested.

"Thieves have repeatedly broken into four steel sea containers which are used to store equipment and house a kitchen area and are secured with expensive locks. The locks are fifty quid each and it costs a fortune to replace them.

"We think sometimes someone has done this just to practice cutting locks."

Mr Westphal said he feared the culprits could be people who had used his club.

"It's been 17 and a half years of trying to run this place for the benefit of the community and the kids and if it someone who has been at the club and then come back to rob us then that hurts."

To contact Mr Westphal at PORC call 01892 870136.