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Burglars trash Sheffield community centre
BURGLARS "totally trashed" a Sheffield community centre before making off with more than £20,000 of hi-tech equipment.
The devastating raid on the old Firth Park Library has been described as a "knife through the heart" which could force it to close.
Stunned members of Community North Forum, the voluntary organisation which runs the centre on Firth Park Road, Firth Park, said all 13 rooms were ransacked including doors torn off hinges, tables upturned, windows smashed and filing cabinets flung outside.
Graffiti was daubed across walls and furniture and alarm systems destroyed, before offenders snatched a fortune in loot.
The 20,000 haul included Nintendo Wii and Sony PlayStation games systems, computers, laptops, digital still and video cameras, televisions, projectors and petty cash.
Ian Wardle, the forum's development manager, said it could prove impossible to recover from the burglary - but closure would have a devastating impact on the community.
In the last year, 27 groups used the building regularly including youth and lunch clubs, carers groups, language and computer classes and sessions for youngsters excluded from school. Around 100 people were registered to use the centre's free internet service.
It is also a base for NHS health visitors - whose confidential files were left strewn about - a council regeneration team and Sheffield College which runs digital media courses for 16-18-year-olds.
Mr Wardle said: "This is like a knife through the heart, things have never been as difficult financially and this could finish us.
"The place was alarmed and locked, including internal doors, but they have smashed through everything, it's totally trashed.
"We will repair the building, but it is a question of whether people feel safe using it now."
The centre was alarmed and windows were barred but the burglars broke in by smashing in a fire door at the rear, he added.
Mr Wardle said at 6pm on Wednesday evening youths had tried to force the front door, but had been scared off by tenants still working in the building.
Insp Simon Leake, of Burngreave, Firth Park and Shire Green Safer Neighbourhood Team, said they were investigating.
He added: "The Firth Park Cyber Caf operates from the old Firth Park Library. The club attracts between 50 and 60 young people aged under 18 every week, so the loss of their equipment will be disappointing for them."
Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who may have information, should call 0144 220 2020 quoting incident number 139 of 4/2/2010, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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