Express & Star

Bearwood scout hut and church raided in burglary

Hundreds of pounds worth of camping and electrical equipment was taken during a burglary at a scout hut and church.

Published

Thieves ransacked the scout hut, next to the church, in Abbey Road, Bearwood, also making off with stock piles of sweets for the children.

They then forced entry into St Hilda's Church's store room and made off with gardening equipment.

Rev Paul Hinton outside the church
Rev Paul Hinton inside the scout hall

An appeal has been launched for donations to help the church and scout group replace the stolen goods.

The raid was discovered at the site on Monday but is believed to have happened over the weekend.

The scout hut
Rev Paul Hinton inside the scout hall

St Hilda's scouts group leader, Diane Walker, said the break-in at the single-storey scout hut had left them devastated.

Tents, torches, a large flat-screen TV, the tuck shop for the children and gifts collected for a fundraising raffle had all been taken.

In addition, two strimmers were stolen from the church.

Mrs Walker said: "We are just stunned.

"We are due to go on a camping trip at Halloween, so this is a setback.

"We have had to cancel the sessions this week while we clear up and take stock."

The thieves broke in through a fire door, ripped doors off cupboards, rifled through camping equipment and tore the TV off its wall mountings.

More than £100 worth of sweets and treats from the tuck shop were taken as well as bottles of wine and whisky and other goods which had been collected for a fundraising raffle.

They also broke down the door of the store room under St Hilda's church and took two Stihl grass strimmers worth several hundred pounds.

Rev Paul Hinton, vicar of St Hilda's, added: "I just want to appeal for help from the community on behalf of the scouts.

"If anyone would like to help get them back on their feet with donations or support, please contact me."

Police are investigating the raid. Any one who can help is asked to call Rev Hinton on 0121 4291384.

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