Childcare centre burgled

The kids at First Five Early Childhood Centre can’t understand why someone would steal from them.

The centre, based in the old Porirua Hospital grounds, recently took possession of a barbecue, donated by one of the children’s parents.

‘‘It was great – something we could use at garage sales and other events to have a sausage sizzle and raise a few extra dollars,’’ centre supervisor Jenni Mason says.

They only had the barbecue a week, however, before thieves broke in to their garage and took it.

Bulbs from security lights were removed and a boltcutter was used to get through the door. Other items in the garage were overlooked, leading Ms Mason to speculate the thieves knew what they were after.

It was stolen between May 8 and May 11.

‘‘We didn’t notice it had gone for a few days because they put the door and the cut padlock back the way it was. My first reaction was ‘you miserable bastards’, they’re stealing from children,‘‘ she says.

‘‘Every dollar we have goes back into making this a better environment for the kids and something like the barbecue was going to help us do that.’’

The centre has a $ 500 insurance excess so it’s not worthwhile to make a claim.

Call Porirua Police on 238 1400 or First Five on 237 4093 with any information.