Teenager suspected of burglary at leisure centre

A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of burglary after a group of people broke into a long-closed Kent leisure facility.

Officers from Kent Police were called to Folkestone Sports Centre on 4 April following reports of a disturbance at the premises.

The venue on Radnor Park Avenue, which has been shut since July 2024, had already been vandalised in a separate incident in March, during which its owners said "extensive damage" had been caused.

The teenager arrested has since been released on bail while inquiries continue, according to police.

A spokesperson for the force said: "On Saturday, 4 April, we received a report of a disturbance at premises on Radnor Park Avenue, Folkestone.

"Officers attended the scene and arrested a 19-year-old man on suspicion of burglary. He has been released on bail while we conduct our inquiries."

Urging anyone with information to contact them, they added that officers had previously attended the venue at 10:25 GMT on 26 March to reports of a break-in, property having been damaged and "multiple windows smashed".

The Sports Trust, a local charity which has been renovating the site since buying it in May 2025, said it had "significantly increased security measures" since last month.

Having described the venue as an "essential community facility", a spokesperson added that they still hope to reopen it this summer as planned.

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