Security shutters planned for council offices following repeated criminal damage

A council plans to install security shutters on its offices to deter "intruders" following repeated criminal damage. Hastings Borough Council has filed plans to fit roller security shutters on its Muriel Matters House offices in Breeds Place in the town centre. The council's planning application highlights the need for these measures to "protect against intruders" and prevent further damage to the door and windows.

The council said Muriel Matters House has been subject to criminal damage "on a number of occasions". The proposed roller shutters will be installed on the lower ground door and windows and will be in operation when the offices are closed. READ NEXT: Major restaurant chain told 'improvement necessary' after hygiene inspection The controls for these shutters will be located inside the building on an adjacent wall on the lower ground floor.



The main entrance will remain accessible during normal office hours. The shutters are designed with perforated laths, enabling visibility into the lower ground floor area from outside during closed hours. The council’s proposal involves installing galvanised steel perforated roller shutters over the doorway and two windows of the lower ground floor office reception.

A drawing of the proposed shutters (Image: Hastings Borough Council) A spokesperson for Hastings Borough Council stated: "The glass frontage to Muriel Matters House has been subjected to criminal damage on a number of occasions. "This criminal damage has resulted in the glass doors and windows needing to be replaced. "We hope by having security shutters in place that we can limit future criminal damage and the cost incurred by this.

" READ NEXT: Cafe could become flat after closing due to 'competition from well-known brands' Muriel Matters House currently serves as the Community Contact Centre, offering several services. These include 'homeless on the day' assessments, documentation drop-off for urgent housing benefit or council tax reduction claims, or your council tax account. The centre also facilitates the collection of pink recycling bags and provides self-service PCs for council services.

The planning application can be viewed using reference HS/FA/25/00105..