Denbigh Showground hit with millions in theft and vandalism

The Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), which owns and operates the 52–acre Denbigh Agricultural Showground in May Pen, Clarendon, has reportedly suffered an estimated loss of over $10 million, due to recent theft and vandalism at the property.

JAS President, Norman Grant, said equipment has been stolen from several pavilions on the showground, and significant damage done to at least one parish pavilion and a section of the area that is specially designated for children’s activities.

Grant said a visit he made to the facility last week, revealed the extent of recent damage and theft on the sprawling compound.

He noted that in light of the development, security will have to be significantly boosted at the showground, although it will impact the society’s operational costs.

The JAS President said henceforth, much more effort will have to be made to ensure that access to the showground is restricted to authorised persons only.

The theft and vandalism have been reported to the local police and Grant is appealing for citizens in the surrounding communities to help with the police investigations, as well as with efforts to retrieve the stolen items.

The JAS President said despite the setback, efforts will be made to ensure that the unfortunate development does not adversely affect this year’s staging of the annual agricultural show, which is this scheduled for July 30 – August 1.

The issue of security has long been a concern of the JAS in respect of the Denbigh property, which, outside of the big annual show and a few smaller events spread across the calendar, is largely unoccupied for long periods, with some sections of the prime agricultural property being heavily wooded outside of show time in July-August.