Cadets' dismay at break-in

Brass instruments belonging to a cadets marching band have been stolen by thieves at their South Staffordshire headquarters.

A total of 25 instruments, trumpets, clarinets and trombones all costing between £100 and £500 or more, were taken from the 2078 Boscobel Air Training Corps squadron base at Codsall High School.

Flying officer Michelle Salt said today thieves had "trashed" the unit, causing thousands more pounds worth of damage.

She believes metal thieves were at the heart of the break-in, hoping to sell the valuable brass instruments on for scrap. She discovered the mess at around 10am on Friday. "I walked in and saw wood chippings on the floor, and thought 'Something isn't right here'," she said.

All that was left was the squadron bugle, which is used to play the Last Post for Remembrance Day. Staffordshire Police spokesman Peter Bate appealed for anyone with information to call officers on 101.