Charity's appeal after raid on site (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Charity's appeal after raid on site

2:16pm Saturday 4th September 2010 in

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A LOCAL charity which helps people back into work is appealing for help after thieves stole equipment worth £17,000 from their site.

Shaw Trust’s Basingstoke Horticultural Project for people recovering from mental illness has been hit hard by the theft of equipment and machinery which was to be used to deliver a gardening service for the elderly.

Six previously unemployed young people were to have used the equipment as part of six-month horticultural contracts to help them get back into the workplace.

The charity has managed to source replacement equipment, but is now facing a race against time to find secure facilities for the new machinery.

They are appealing for a local business or organisation to provide secure storage after the break-in at their Elizabeth Road premises in the evening of August 16.

The general manager of community services for Shaw Trust, John Sole, said the theft had been carefully calculated, and the charity desperately needed a secure facility.

He said: “This was not an opportunistic thief. The thieves knew the equipment was there and used bolt cutters to enter the site, and then industrial cutting equipment to cut through the storage unit.

“They took equipment ranging from hand-held hedge cutters and strimmers to an expensive wood chipper.”

“We can’t risk losing our equipment again and I would be extremely grateful if any business or individual in the local area feels they can help with such a facility.

“The team here is very upset by the theft and we want to get them back on track as quickly as possible.”

A police spokesman said investigations were ongoing. Anyone with any information should call 101 or 0845 0454545.

Anyone who can provide secure storage should contact John Sole on 01225 716300, or email john.sole@shaw-trust.org.uk