Burgess Hill care home staff ‘shocked’ as brick is hurled through window in night attack

Sixteen elderly residents were asleep at Hilgay Care Home in Keymer Road when the ‘mindless attack’ happened at around 3am yesterday (February 18).

Home manager Heidi Garwood said everyone was shocked when they learned what had happened. “We’re grateful no one got hurt. There could have been serious consequences.”

She said the brick had smashed an office window, leaving glass everywhere, but she was thankful that residents’ rooms had not been hit. “It would have caused a lot more injuries than just a pane of glass.”

She said that a team manager and carer were writing up notes in a lounge when the attack happened. “They heard something and thought it might be a resident falling over.

“They went round everybody’s room to check on them and then went into the office and found the smashed window and brick. It weas a big old brick.”

She said that the care home was now increasing CCTV and installing extra lighting.

Meanwhile, Sussex Police Inspector Darren Taylor described the attacker as ‘mindless.’ “Thankfully all the residents were in their beds at the time.”

He asked anyone with any information about the incident to contact police, quoting the reference CAD 0085.