Raiders take charity tools

Thousands of pounds worth of gardening equipment has been stolen from a charity which runs an allotment project for teenagers and young adults in Kidderminster.

Thieves smashed a lock on a storage container at the back of the Granary Hotel, Heath Lane, and took lawnmowers and tools belonging to Beacon Employment.

The Granary Project, launched six months ago for young people with learning difficulties, sees a group of up to 15 people work on the allotment three days a week with the help of charity staff.

They transformed a field outside the restaurant into a working allotment with an orchard, vegetable plots and poly tunnels.

Project leaders today said they were "devastated" over the raid. It would cost a "small fortune" to replace the stolen equipment.

"I am so annoyed that someone could steal from a charity," said project leader Craig Darby, aged 36.

"These young people have worked so hard. They do not deserve this. It is going to cost a lot of money to replace the equipment."

Fruit and vegetables grown by volunteers were used in the hotel kitchen for the first time this summer.

Equipment stolen overnight on Wednesday included lawnmowers, a chipper, rotivators and tools including garden forks and spades.

West Mercia Police spokeswoman Julie Wedgbury said investigations were continuing to find those responsible.

Beacon Employment of Hoo Farm Industrial estate, prepares people with learning difficulties and mental health problems for work.

The charity, which has been running since 1992, operates across Worcestershire, Shropshire, Herefordshire and the Black Country helping more than 500 people a year.

Anyone with information should call Kidderminster police on 0300 333 3000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.