VILE burglars have ransacked a community centre causing damage of more than £1,500.
Long Meadows Community Centre, in Dovercourt, which has been open for 19 years, was broken into on Sunday night.
Thieves stole bottles of alcohol, ransacked the hall and caused damage, which will cost more than £1,500 to repair.
Dale Cheesman, general manager of Harwich and District Community Association, said the criminals broke in through the fire door and jammed it open.
She added: “Everything was thrown over and they rifled through cupboards which belong to club members by breaking the padlocks off the doors.
“They took a door down and damaged the framework of another one as they gained entry into the bar.
“There they smashed a whole cabinet full of glasses and stole bottles of alcohol.
“The bottles were 1.5 litre Vodka and Bacardi bottles, not the ones you buy from the supermarket, but what we bought from our brewers.
“If people spot them, they are likely to come from the burglary.”
Mrs Cheesman said she fears repairs might not take place for a while as the centre had no income during the Covid-19 lockdown.
She added: “We had no money coming in since March, which is nearly six months of no income.
“Until the clubs come back we have no finance.
“What annoys me more than anything is that it was probably done by the younger generation and their grandparents might come for different clubs here.
“It’s so sad when Harwich is a great community, which was shown during the lockdown where people came together and looked after the vulnerable.
“To hit back at the community centre is the biggest kick in the teeth.
“I worked my socks off with Harwich Helps using the Park Pavilion and I feel sick this was done here.”
Mrs Cheesman said the police responded quickly and were brilliant.
“They are currently looking at CCTV cameras from nearby houses and the crime scene investigators will also come to take fingerprints,” she added.
“Well done Essex Police, hopefully we will find those responsible.”
Anyone with information should call Essex Police on 101 or report it anonymously to Crimstoppers on 0800 555111.
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