A WILDLIFE park owner says he is ready to take the law into his own hands if thieves continue to target his property.

Eagle Heights director Alan Ames claims intruders and attempted thefts are a weekly occurence at the park in Lullingstone Lane, Eynsford, which is one of the UK’s largest bird of prey centres.

According to the former soldier, recent incidents include his 23-year-old son being attacked with a baseball bat, putting him in hospital with a severely bruised face.

News Shopper: EYNSFORD: Eagle Heights owner ready to act against thieves

Two weeks ago the park’s minibus was also stolen before being abandoned after he gave chase.

Mr Ames says there have been thefts of chickens, ferrets and ducks as well as an attempt to steal his six Husky puppies.

In case trouble should break out, he has even moved out of his home in Farningham to a cottage down the road from Eagle Heights.

The 53-year-old has also bought two Presa Canario guard dogs to keep intruders out.

He says on average there is at least one problem every week.

The father-of-two said: “It’s just endless.

“It wears you down. You never know what'll happen next. I don’t go out of the village in case I get a phone call from my son.

“If necessary I’ll take the law into my own hands, I’ll use what I consider to be reasonable force.”

Mr Ames added: "It affects the morale of all the staff, it's very worrying.

"I just want to be left alone to run Eagle Heights, do the shows and educate people without having to have a punch up in the car park."

Council dispute

Mr Ames has also been at loggerheads with Sevenoaks District Council over a mobile home that he put up on the site, which he says is to increase security.

In May the council served an enforcement notice ordering Mr Ames to remove the home, as it did not have planning permission and the land was green belt.

He has appealed against the notice, and a decision is expected from the planning inspectorate in the coming weeks.

Mr Ames said: “We only want temporary planning permission, we don't want to build a house here.

“You are meant to be given planning permission on green belt where there are exceptional circumstances.

“Now I would say being robbed three times a week, having a business ruined and making people's lives a misery is exceptional circumstances.”

A council spokesman said officers will be visiting Eagle Heights later this month to discuss any issues he has.

Police confirmed they were investigating a recent attempted break in and were carrying out a forensic examination on the minibus.

Inspector Rob Slade said: “We are aware of the problems Mr Ames has been experiencing and have worked with him in the past when extra patrols were tasked, crime reduction advice was given and a CCTV camera was installed.

“Extra patrols have been tasked to pay special attention to the area and we are following up some promising lines of inquiry.”