The former Isle of Wight Council leader has criticised the police over their “reluctant” response to a break-in at the former Ryde Town Hall, on the night of a fire.
Councillor Phil Jordan has said the caretaker of the Grade II-listed landmark on Lind Street called Hampshire and IW Constabulary to report a break-in but the force “seemed reluctant to do very much about it”.
His comments at Ryde Town Council (RTC) on Tuesday (22nd September 2026) come after a 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of arson almost three weeks on from the blaze.
Marcus Cator, HIWC area commander for the Isle of Wight, said trespass is not a criminal offence but added that the police will investigate offences such as criminal damage.
Is the building secure?
Councillor Jordan, who currently serves on RTC and previously represented Ryde North West at the Isle of Wight Council, responded to a question on the town hall.
Councillor Lou Temel asked him,
“I wonder if you or anyone can give some assurance to the public that the building has now been properly secured.
“I know you’re friendly with the owner, Phil, and perhaps you could enlighten us about that?”
Youths ‘left to go’
Councillor Jordan said the building is secure “in so far as it is able to be secured”. He said,
“I am aware and have seen a strong letter from the Isle of Wight Council planning team to the owner’s representatives and there are matters in hand.”
Councillor Jordan mentioned “complications” in that County Hall’s conservation officer asked for windows to be left open for airing of the building. He continued,
“Many of the windows had been boarded up on the inside in a correct manner without screws attached to the frame.”
Councillor Jordan said the caretaker was in the building when the break-in occurred on 27th August 2026 and called the police who “did turn up but seemed reluctant to do very much about it, as we’ve experienced in the past”. He added,
“Where youths that were in the building were apprehended by the police and left to go just after taking names and addresses.
“The future of the building is now probably headed into either an auction or development into apartments, I suspect.”
Could the hall have been saved?
Following the meeting, Councillor Jordan told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) the town hall could, and should have, been saved for Ryde by firstly acquiring it from the present owners and then by supporting the project put forward by community interest company (CIC) Ryde Revival.
He said the latter were ready, willing and able to deliver the project with grant funding.
Ryde Revival previously laid out a vision for a ‘hall for all’ in a bid to restore the building for community use.
In July, Ryde Neighbourhood Board voted unanimously against pursuing the purchase of the town hall, citing financial risks and uncertainty over the building’s condition. Councillor Jordan continued,
“Had this process commenced, the project commenced and the building brought back into community ownership I very much doubt we would be seeing the levels of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage to the building.
“My understanding is that police records indicate this is a derelict building and that leads on to the way the police respond and react to break-ins there.
“It is far from derelict. It is an empty building and should be regarded as such.”
He said the building is secure but this does not prevent ‘determined people’ from ‘illegally’ breaking into any building, including Ryde Town Hall, by force.
Police respond
Superintendent Cator said that where possible and appropriate, the constabulary will look to issue outcomes that don’t unnecessarily criminalise children where other opportunities, such as Community Resolutions, can have a lasting impact and lead to positive behaviour change. He said,
“We are happy to speak to anyone who has concerns regarding our response to an incident but will do so directly with concerned individuals.
“The management of derelict buildings sits with the landowner to ensure they are secured appropriately.
“In relation to this incident, our investigation remains ongoing with all available lines of enquiry being explored.”
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
