Telford scout hut dealt a double blow by burglars and fly-tippers - with video

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.

"They're quite big grounds but I would say it is covering about half of it. It meant the scouts couldn't go outside."

"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."

A neighbour who lives behind the hut noticed the damage and contacted the police on Saturday.

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 allow the 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."

Anyone who might have information about the burglary is asked to contact police on the non-emergency 101 number quoting the crime reference number 265S/113/17. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org

In the past year, Gobowen's Scout Hut has also been a victim of theft

Yobs broke into the scout hut in Station Road, Gobowen and caused over £800 of damage, stole the group's PA system and four Swiss army knives in June 2016.

In one of the worse cases ever seen in the region it emerged earlier this month that tons of rubbish including teddy bears, food packaging and even family photos had been dumped near a disused railway line off the A4169 near Horsehay, Telford.

Last month in Shropshire, an eight-ton pile of rubble was dumped in Back Lane, near Newport, and a car was written off after the driver crashed into it.

Tiles and black plastic bags were also discovered at The Wrekin in November by Brendan Robinson, of Priorslee, who said it was the first time he had seen fly-tipping on that scale. Tipping has been on the rise in England in the past few years, with councils spending £50 million on clear-up costs.

In Telford, there were 2,753 recorded times when rubbish was dumped illegally in 2012 compared to 4,524 in 2015.

Hadley scouts are now appealing for help in tracking down the stolen items and for the persons responsible to be caught.

They will also need to clear the outside area to make it usable for the scouts.