THE manager of a Basingstoke charity which suffered a break-in has blamed the council for not fixing the windows.

Thieves forced their way into Shopmobility’s Basingstoke offices, in Church Street, on Sunday, November 8. Thankfully, police officers who were nearby managed to get to the offices before the burglars stole anything.

One was arrested, while the other got away.

Anne Blackmore, manager of the Basingstoke branch, said the incident could have been avoided if the windows had been replaced.

She told The Gazette: “Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council should have replaced our windows 18 months ago.”

She said she has been chasing the council for months to replace the windows, adding: “The fact they were rotting made it easier for the burglars to get in. I said they were a security risk and the council said they would get them done.”

Mrs Blackmore informed the council on Monday, November 9 about the break-in, and thought that it would prompt them to urgently replace the windows, but by Friday afternoon she was still waiting.

She said: “I’m angry. The budget was approved to replace them. Prior to that I notified them that they needed replacing.”

Councillor John Izett the council’s Cabinet member for finance and resources, said: “We were sad to hear of the break-in and as soon as this was reported to us last Monday the team made the window secure the same day and later that week also strengthened other windows on the premises. Contractors are now on site doing that work.”