'Scandalous': Disgust as thefts and damage total £8,000

Second break-in at transport charity

BEGGARS BELIEF:

Barry Jones, left, and Kevin Cegielskl, of Phoenix Community Transport, look at some of the damage caused in the latest break-in

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A PONTLLANFRAITH ch­arity was hit by burglars twice in the last five weeks, causing it more than £8,000 worth of damage and loss­es.

Phoenix Community Trans­port, in Penmaen Road, pro­vides minibus transport for vulnerable young people, the severely handicapped and eld­erly people, picking them up from their homes and taking them to day centres and on trips.

The charity has been running for nearly 20 years, and has 44 vehicles which help to transport around 1,100 people per week.

It was only by chance that staff calling into the unit on Monday

By Alison Sanders

found the unit had again been broken into.

This was only five weeks since the last time the unit had a break-in. Chairman and one of the trustee directors, Barry Jones, said: "We were only just getting over the last one."

But Mr Jones, 56, said this inci­dent had caused much more dam­age.

He said new power tools and a sound system had been taken, doors kicked in and a metal bar put through the computer.

He said that someone had also started to take the metal cladding off the building.

Mr Jones said it is terrible for anybody to get broken into, but especially when it is a charity and one that does not get any funding.

He said: "It's scandalous and beggars belief I couldn't believe it when I got the call on Monday.

"Any cost that takes time and money away from the charity takes it away from what we can deliver."

He estimated that over the two incidents, between £4,000 and £5,000 worth of items had been taken and between £3,000 and £4,000 worth of damage had been caused.

He said the charity could be fac­ing as much as £10,000 worth of losses.

During the last break-in, around five weeks ago, Mr Jones said thieves got away with £300 worth of small change which was about

to be taken to the bank, and a large safe containing important documents.

The thieves also ripped out a large desk to get to the safe.

A police spokeswoman said the first incident happened between noon on Sunday July 19 and 7.30am on Monday July 20. Two people were arrested on suspicion of burglary.

They were released on police bail pending further inquiries. She said they believe the second incident happened between 7am on Sunday August 30 and 4pm on Monday August 31.

Police are appealing for infor­mation. Anyone who can help should contact police on 01633 838111.

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SEPTEMBER 2009  

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