GPs state of the art surgery attacked

Police believe a high-powered catapult or BB airgun was used in the attack.

Staff opening the 1m new joint practice at Seabourne Road on Monday morning found the fully-glazed front door and five large double-glazed windows damaged.

The new surgery was opened only seven weeks ago to accommodate the practices of Dr Roger Elias and Dr Yaya Al Ansary.

The practices rent the state-of-the-art building from its developers, General Practice Investment Corporation.

A furious Dr Elias said at the scene: "What sort of a country is it that allows people to buy weapons like that?

"You provide beautiful facilities like this for the community and what happens? You get idiots doing something like this. You can understand why vigilante groups spring up.

"I feel we are going to have to put steel shutters over the windows. I can see no other way. We will have to speak to the people who own the building. The staff are beginning to feel quite frightened to work here."

A window and one of the surgery's CCTV cameras were smashed on the eve of the building's opening. The car park has had to be ringed by a 6ft steel spike fence. Despite this, glass, old car tyres and even plastic toys are regularly hurled over the fence.

Patient numbers for both practices now covering Pebsham are increasing fast and Dr Elias says the new surgery is much appreciated.

"I just feel rather sad that here we are trying to provide a service for local people and some are 'doing it' on their own doorstep.

"It's the old story - less than one per cent holding the rest to ransom."