On the morning of Thursday 19th February – the Staff of the new Special Needs Day Centre at Brafferton arrived to find that thieves had broken in during the night and caused thousands of pounds worth of damage and stole gardening and farming equipment.
The thieves avoided the security cameras and accessed the premises down the side of the A1M Motorway, having cut through the newly installed perimeter security fence they proceeded to access the farm through the goat enclosure and then cut a sizeable hole in the back of a steel container, which they emptied and transported the items to their vehicle using wheelbarrows. The thieves stole more than £10K worth of tools, equipment and sentimental items, including a lock of hair from Mr T, a horse at the centre that had recently passed away. Thankfully no animals were harmed, and the goats did not escape onto the main road.
Charlotte Iceton, the Centre Manager, said, “We are all in total shock as to why anyone would steal from a day service supporting those with Special Needs in our local area. Following the emergency call to report the break in, no Police officers attended the crime scene – unbelievable when the Police Station is situated a stone’s throw away at the Glow Church, they did manage to give us a crime number. This whole incident has left our young adults feeling very anxious and frightened that the thieves may strike again. Since the break in we have upgraded our security system and taken measures to strengthen security on site.”
Five Acres supports school and college leavers with additional needs through agriculture, horticulture, therapeutic gardening, animal care, independent living skills, cooking and much more. Our farm is home to ‘Bailey’ and ‘Nimbus’, two ponies that we rehomed from The Blue Cross, four pigmy goats, three sheep and currently two orphaned lambs ‘Dolly’ and ‘Jolene’.
Five Acres Community Garden is a Community Interest Company, if anyone would like to help in the form of a donation, please scan the QR code above.