Appeal for information after vandals damage community centre in Warrington

Police are appealing for witnesses after mindless vandals caused thousands of pounds worth of damage at a community centre in Warrington.

At around 8.40pm on Wednesday 25 July, officers received reports of criminal damage at Hawthorne Community Centre.

Officers attended the centre on Orange Grove, Poulton, where they found that the offenders had forced entry into the building and caused extensive damage including broken windows, broken sinks and toilets smashed off the wall, as well as doors which were ripped off the hinges inside.

The damage is believed the have taken place between 6pm on Tuesday 24 July and 8.30pm on Wednesday 25 July.

Enquiries into the incident currently remain ongoing and, as part of the investigation and officers are urging anyone who may have any information to get in touch.

Inspector Anna Keefe, of Warrington Local Policing Unit, said that:

“The centre is a valuable asset to members of the local community and, as a result of this mindless act of criminal damage, it has been rendered unusable.

“Thousands of pounds worth of damage has been caused and the local community church that funds the centre simply does not have the money needed to repair the damage caused.

“While enquiries in relation to this incident remain ongoing, initial information suggests that a group of young people may be responsible for the damage, so we ask all parents to please make sure you know what your kids are doing in the summer break.

"This is completely unacceptable behaviour which we will not tolerate; we are urging anyone who has any information that may aid our investigation to contact us on 101 or online at www.cheshire.police.uk/tell-us , quoting IML1605221."

Information can also be reported anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.