Local charity targeted by thieves and vandals four times in under two months

A charity that specialises in environmental and cultural projects across the area has been targeted by mindless thieves and vandals for the fourth time in two months.

Staff from Groundwork North Wales returned to work after the Bank Holiday weekend to find out that they had once again been victim to criminal damage and vandalism.

Groundwork North Wales, which provides social, economic, environmental and cultural projects across the region, were devastated to discover they had once again been targeted.

The first incident took place on July 8th, with further damage caused on August 9th, 14th and earlier this week on the 27th.

The charity say that all incidents have followed a similar pattern, with locks broken with bolt cutters, doors vandalised to gain entry and the contents of the building rifled through and thrown around.

Electrical equipment and power tools were also stolen.

Each time Groundwork North Wales has taken further measures to tighten security at their site – including the expense of hiring an onsite security guard.

Lorna Crawshaw, head of programmes and partnerships for Groundwork North Wales, said: “We have been repeatedly targeted by thieves and vandals at our site here in Tanyfron.

“The incidents have ranged from stealing tools, digital and electrical equipment to the mindless destruction of the educational classroom here on site where we deliver some of our projects.

“The ongoing impact such events have on a charity like us are far reaching – affecting all areas of the work we undertake in the Wrexham community and further afield across North Wales.”

Paul Furnborough, reserves development officer for Wild Ground a subsidiary charity of Groundwork North Wales has expressed that their regular volunteers are extremely upset by these sad events.

He said: “Our regular Monday and Thursday volunteers who gain a positive and rewarding experience from volunteering with us have expressed how extremely upsetting it is that the site in Tanyfron has been the victim of persistent, senseless vandalism and disruption.”

The charity add that further measures have again been put in place to prevent similar incidents taking place.

Anyone who has any information on the break-ins is urged to contact North Wales Police on 101.