A HISTORIC fort was broken into on a daily basis - with the yobs even excreting at the site.

Owners of the Beacon Hill Fort, in Barrack Lane, Harwich, called the police after the Napoleonic fort was targeted by the vandals.

Co-owner Pauline Sharp said they had unbolted the fence to the scheduled ancient monument and had been running around the fort.

She added: “They sat on top of the building and breaking the fence and being obnoxious.

“Eventually the portable toilet was turned over and they smeared it all over.

“There was toilet paper all over the site.

“We have been plagued with youths breaking in and their actions are becoming destructive.

“It’s a really disheartening and frustrating situation.”

The 64-year-old said it is a group of hard-working volunteers who maintain the historic site.

“They put all the hard work into it for the community and a few people want to spoil it for everyone,” she added.

“The majority of Harwich people and youngsters are good, but a small amount of the community is out to cause trouble for everyone.

“They have got no respect for anyone which I think is very sad.

“It is an annoying situation as we open free of charge.

“It’s not as if we are restricting people, because they can come in and look around at their leisure but it seems to be the mentality of a few to think they can do this whenever they want.”

Mrs Sharp said also added police officers who went to the fort and were “brilliant”.

But she added: “Unless they can catch them there is nothing they can do.

“It’s nice to know they will come down and show their faces and keep an eye out for us.”

Mrs Sharp said they mended the fence where the yobs got in and the vandalism has now stopped for now.

Following national guidelines, Beacon Hill Fort has been closed for members of the public during the coronavirus pandemic.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “We were called with reports of five teenagers trespassing on land at Beacon Hill Fort.

“Officers carried out a search but no-one was found.

“No damage was confirmed and advice was given to staff at the site.”

Anyone with information should contact Essex Police on 101.