THIEVES cut through the security fencing surrounding Northallerton’s Allertonshire School, smashed in a wired glass security window and once inside smashed through locked doors to gain access to the workshop run by Northallerton Men’s Shed, where several thousand pounds worth of power tools and woodworking machines were stolen.

It is believed this happened during the evening of Thursday, June 11.

The community workshop has been operating successfully for more than a year. Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, it has been closed to the 40 members but has kept in regular touch with them through a WhatsApp group and Facebook page.

Whilst the break-in was sad, it was made many times worse by the thieves rampaging through the coffee/computer room, picking up computers and throwing them around, wrecking three computers and two large TV monitors.

This was then compounded by them searching out tins of paint which they opened, deliberately poured over tables and computers and threw tins of paint around chairs, floor and wall.

These wanton vandals selected a hammer from the tool store and proceeded to smash every glass door including the entrance door, which they were unable to open. There were also various messages painted on walls.

Police and scene of crime officers were unable to explain the mix of theft and extreme vandalism. Many of the tools were gifted by the supportive community.

A spokesperson for the Men’s Shed group said members are determined to bounce back from this, but it may take some time to get to a position where they can reopen when lockdown relieves.

If anyone can offer assistance they can email northallertonshed@gmail.com or with information about the perpetrators, email bradley.moss@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk