Skip to content

Town hall damaged by fire after attempted ram-raid

Matthew LockwoodBedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire
Nickita Starck The burned out remains of a Land Rover Discovery Sport that was used to ram the Town Hall in Ivinghoe. Windows around the vehicle are damaged. Nickita Starck
Nickita Starck, said a Land Rover Discovery Sport was used to ram the building

A town hall damaged in a fire following an attempted ram-raid will take months to repair, a parish council has said.

Police were called to Ivinghoe Town Hall, which houses a post office and library, in the early hours of Monday morning.

A Land Rover Discovery Sport damaged the front of the premises before it was set on fire, but "no access was gained" to the Grade II listed property.

Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze damaged part of the High Street building's first floor and roof, while Thames Valley Police said there had not been any arrests.

Ivinghoe Parish Council has confirmed it aimed to reopen the post office "as soon as possible" using a temporary entrance while repairs take place.

Bridget Knight, the parish clerk, said: "It's going to take months to fully repair the building as permission will be needed and special windows made."

Police are appealing for CCTV, dash-cam or doorbell footage as investigations continue.

Nickita Starck A heavily damaged SUV is being transported on the back of a flatbed recovery truck. The bodywork is scorched and discoloured, particularly along the sides and rear, with missing paint and visible burn marks. Nickita Starck
The burnt-out vehicle being taken away from the scene

Resident Nickita Starck said she was "deeply saddened to see such an important part of the community destroyed".

She added: "This building was part of the heartbeat of village life.

"To see the shop, the library and the village hall so badly affected, alongside the devastating impact on someone's livelihood, is an utter tragedy."

Laura Kyrke-Smith, the Labour MP for Aylesbury, has offered support to those affected by the incident.

"My thoughts are with everyone affected by this horrific incident and I want to thank everyone who has been working to investigate the scene and ensure the building is safe," she said.

"I've been in touch with Ivinghoe Parish Council and others to offer my support, and I want to extend the same offer to anyone in my constituency who has been affected."

Nickita Starck A fire damaged timber-framed and herringbone building. A man in orange high-vis clothing is sweeping up debris. Nickita Starck
Ivinghoe Parish Council said the High Street has reopened and structural surveys would be carried out in the next couple of days

Ivinghoe Town Hall has a history stretching back more than 500 years, with the first recorded hall on the site dating from 1519.

It was rebuilt by the Brownlow Estate in the 1840s, featuring its distinctive timber-framed construction and herringbone brickwork.

Historical records describe magistrates holding Petty Sessions there, while the building also housed police accommodation and cells.

It was Grade II listed by Historic England in 1966.

Peter Brazier, Buckinghamshire Council's cabinet member for culture and leisure, said discussions would take place about alternative arrangements "to enable services, activities and community groups" to continue while keeping "disruption to a minimum" as longer-term plans are made.

A TVP spokesperson said: "A vehicle was used to damage the front of the premises before being set alight, causing damage to the building.

"No access was gained to the building and no arrests have been made at this time."

Do you have a story suggestion for Beds, Herts or Bucks? Contact us below.

Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

More on this story
Related internet links