Gym targeted twice by thieves in space of week

A popular Washington Crossfit gym has been targeted twice in a matter of days by thieves attempting to break into the premises.

Crossfit Tailored Training on Sedling Road, Wear Industrial Estate, Washington, has had three security cameras stolen and windows damaged in two separate incidents.

The attempted break-ins happened within days of each other and now co-owners John-Lee Lydon and Michael Williamson believe their business is being targeted.

The first incident took place just before midnight on Monday, August 10, where one of the security cameras was “grinded down” by those involved.

The camera was replaced and an additional one put up but about one week later – in the early hours of Monday, August17– the two cameras were taken down.

Mesh covering two of the building’s windows had also been cut.

Co-owner John-Lee, 38, said CCTV footage shows three men looking through the windows and trying the door, but said those involved did not manage to gain access and nothing was taken.

He said :" It looks like we are being targeted. But we are a gym so there is nothing to take and if you did try to take anythingit would be a big job as all the equipment is very heavy.”

The gym stressed that there is no cash on the premises and confirmed both incidents have been reported to Northumbria Police.

John-Lee and his team are now hoping to raise awareness of the incidents and are looking to increase their security measures in an effort to prevent further damage being done.

He continued: "We found out from the business next to us that someone had hit their camera and turned it away from our building.

"This has not affected our business at all but if they had managed to get in it really would have affected it, especially with the coronavirus pandemic as we have only just opened up.

"We are building memberships backup and this is just stress that we didn’t need.

A Northumbria Police spokesman added: "Inquiries into the thefts are ongoing and anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 or through the 'Report an Incident' section of our website by quoting 949 170820."