Telford scouts left devastated after hut is burgled and hit by flytippers

Thieves broke into the headquarters of the 1st Wrekin, Hadley, scout group stealing a mower, laptops, a projector, pots and pans, tents and even taking brass locks from the interior doors.

But just days later, a trailer load of tyres was dumped in the grounds of the scout hut.

The scout leaders are appealing for information and calling for the return of a number of items taken during the crime.

The scout hut is off Cyril Hayward Court in Hadley and has been home to the group for about five years.

Previously based in Oakengates, they lost their previous premises and were given the empty scout hut to use.

They have spent the years since they were given the hut renovating it to meet their needs

Mike Gatford, the group scout leader, said: "On Friday, we had a break-in, and a serious one, so serious I've got the loss assessors coming down.

"Then I got a call on Monday from the cubs leader asking me to come down.

"When I got there I found a trailer load of tyres all over the grounds. It looks like they've driven in and just opened the trailer because they're scattered all over the grounds.

"It meant the scouts couldn't go out when they met on Monday night. They can't use the grounds at all."

Scouts, cubs and beavers all use the scout hut, but Mr Gatford said it has been left in "a real mess" following the burglary.

He said: "It makes you think, what am I going to get a call about next."

The scout group is appealing for help in returning the items, particularly an industrial mower owned by the hut.

The Cub Cadet mower is unique as it has a distinctive homemade adaption, with a tent peg to allowthe flap to be lifted and held so that it can mow close to buildings.

Mr Gatford said: "The thieves could take off the serial numbers and things like that but they wouldn't be able to remove that so it should be easy to recognise."

Also taken was a tile cutter belonging to the parents of one of the members who had been helping with some work in the building.

Mr Gatford added “It is disappointing because it is not just our time, but parents who have given up their time”

“They’ve made a real mess of the hut, they’ve kicked in all the interior doors. We were working to turn what is currently a toilet into a kitchen, so the scouts can learn to cook properly, not just on camping stoves.

“There was a fire door in there that has been kicked in which cost about £200.

“Inside the hut we are going to have to replace three doors. A parent who had been helping us with some work in the kitchen has also had his tile cutter stolen.

“They’ve stolen all the pots and pans, no one would want old pans, but they’re aluminium so they’re worth money. They’ve also taken all the brass padlocks from the doors that have been kicked in.”

But while Mr Gatford, who has been with the scouts for about 45 years, and the rest of the leaders were dealing with the burglary, they were hit with the flytipping.

He said: “They’re quite big grounds but I would say it is covering about half of it. It meant the scouts couldn’t go outside.”

Anyone who might have information about the burglary is asked to contact police on the non-emergency 101 number quoting the crime reference number 22GB/2135ON/17