CALLOUS thieves smashed up Neston Recreation Centre’s reception in a failed bid to get to the building’s safe.
Police, the council and Brio Leisure are appealing to residents to help catch the thieves who wrecked the reception area between 10.30pm on Tuesday, February 14, and 6am the next day, in a bid to access the building’s safe.
Burglars broke in through the sports hall’s back doors and attacked the reception area, breaking vending machines and taking their contents, and damaging furniture and walls in an attempt to reach the safe, which holds only petty cash overnight.
In the wake of the destruction, Brio Leisure staff worked tirelessly to relocate services for users.
The Children’s Holiday Club was quickly moved to Neston Civic Hall, while a National Pool Lifeguard Qualification course was relocated to Ellesmere Port’s EPIC.
Two members of staff remained on site to speak with any customers who arrive for casual activity and direct them to any alternative options.
Staff worked tirelessly through the night to open a temporary reception area and ensure all activities were put back in operation.
Phones have been diverted to other offices to enable casual bookings to continue.
Users of the centre are advised to keep updated with progress by visiting www.brioleisure.org.
Cllr Stuart Parker, executive member for culture and recreation, said: “I would like to thank Brio Leisure staff from the centre for their fantastic efforts to ensure that services and their users were not unduly affected by this despicable and destructive attack on the centre.
“We would like to send out a clear message that very little amounts of cash are left on the site overnight, making this kind of burglary absolutely pointless.”
Cheshire Constabulary spokeswoman Shelley Williams said: “Patrols have been stepped up in the area to help deter and detect this type of crime that typically occurs overnight.”
In 2009 a ram-raid took place at the centre in which the safe was dragged from the office but abandoned unopened in the car park.
Cheshire Constabulary is keen to speak to residents who may have seen or heard anything suspicious overnight – contact them by calling 101.
