THIEVES STEAL SWORD AND CHARITY CASH IN RAID
CULPRITS LEAVE BEHIND DISTINCTIVE CAP, BLOOD STAINS AND A BAG
THIEVES who broke into a martial arts centre stole charity box money and equipment, including swords - and left behind some vital clues. Andy Abernethie was shocked when he discovered the extensive damaged caused to Samurai Hearts Martial Arts and Fitness Centre on Freeman Street, Grimsby, which was raided around midnight on Saturday.
Glass was strewn throughout the centre and around £330 cash stolen. The centre’s CCTV system was ripped out and cables cut to other electronic devices. Extensive vandalism was caused to locked doorways after the burglars broke in through the rear. They left behind a distictive cap, blood stains and a bag, which are being examined by Humberside Police crime scene investigators. Andy, a black belt martial arts expert, said: “They clearly are not professionals because who in their right mind breaks into a martial arts centre.
“They have left behind incriminating evidence, including the cap which someone will recognise.” The cap is black and orange and has Stihl Timber Sports inscribed on it.
He added: “We have worked hard to get it back to normal because we have classes from 4pm.
“We love what we do and nothing is going to stop us. We are not going to let it impact on our business because then they win.
“If there is a positive to come from it, we will be reviewing the security at the rear. We already have shutters at the front.”
Andy said: “But why would they cut cables and damage phones. I can’t understand when this is a place where we do so much work for the community. It has definitely knocked my faith in humanity, especially when they took £30 from the charity box for mencap.
“I hope that when they are found they get justice, go to prison and face a proper sentence as small businesses have struggled this year. We need to have confidence in the police and the justice system.” The coronavirus lockdown shut the business for four months and Andy lost around 100 students. But when he reopened in July he has been inundated with new students wanting to join and parents aiming to get kids fitter after lockdown. Among the items stolen were an iPad Mini, used for registering students, a camera, a video camera and cash.
Two HASU weapons packs which are in black cases about 4ft long and a Samurai sword were taken.
The sword is black and has a broken handle and was used for ornamental purposes.
His wife Yuphin said: “It is devastating because we try to give the kids a focus and we have been here eight years.
“We are doing our best for the kids of Freeman Street and elsewhere. We take all the Covid measures seriously and have sanitiser stations all around and the floorspace is all marked out so there is no chance of the kids coming together.
“We have cleared up all the mess and the sugar they spread all over the floor. The three-year-olds we look after have more sense than whoever did this.
“We teach children about right and wrong and have standards which help them become champions at home as well, so they take their skills home with them to help out in their families.” Humberside Police are investigating the raid and anyone with information can contact the non-emergency 101 line quoting log number 354 of Sunday, September 20.