Fury over Walsall Leather Museum break-in
Furious bosses have been left counting the cost after an attempted burglary at Walsall Leather Museum.
A man was arrested at the scene in Littleton Street after the break-in happened shortly before 1am on Tuesday.
The suspect has since been released pending further investigation and West Midlands Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
Councillor Garry Perry, Walsall Council’s portfolio holder for community, leisure and culture, said he believed there were two burglars involved and they had targeted a small safe which contained around £100.
The safe was recovered on the museum grounds. Damage was caused to internal and external windows, which have been boarded up to make the building secure.
None of the artefacts or displays were damaged during the incident.
Councillor Perry said: “What I am seeing at the moment in the Covid-19 crisis is the very best of society but also some examples of the very worst. And this is one of those.
“There will always be opportunists who will carry out such deeds at the most inopportune of times.
Appalling
“Any crime at any time is serious but when the focus of everyone is on this pandemic and supporting our communities, the fact that some people will continue to think its OK to commit crimes in such a manner is appalling.
“That just shows you the measure of what we are dealing with.
“But I want to praise the police for their speedy response and the work they did to make an arrest and retrieve the stolen goods.
“Targeting assets like the leather museum, something the community cares about, is always going to be met with anger.”
He added: “Obviously we will carry out any repairs that are required and replace glass and claim that back through insurance. But ultimately it still works back down to taxpayers as insurance premiums will rise.”
A West Midlands Police spokesman said: “We are investigating a burglary at the Walsall Leather Museum on Littleton Street just before 1am on Tuesday April 28.
“A 39-year-old man who was detained at the scene and arrested on suspicion of burglary has been released pending further investigation.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact officers via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight, quoting crime reference 20WS/99318D/20.
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org
