Attempted farm break-in leaves staff and learners distraught
Learners and staff at a Sunderland charity have been left distraught after their centre was damaged in an attempted break-in.
Shortly after 8.30am on Wednesday, Northumbria Police officers received a report of an attempted burglary overnight at Springboard Future’s Southwick farm.
Thecharityprovideseducation and training to teenagers with autism, disabilities or additional needs.
Offenders caused considerable damage to the shutters duringtheirattemptstoaccess the premises, but left emptyhanded.
An investigation has been launched in a bid to identify those responsible, with the damage causing considerable upsetamongthecentre’slearners and staff.
Paul Colborn, lead for community engagement at Springboard Futures said: “Our learners were upset by the damage and found it hard to understand why anyone would want to do this to them.
"They are very proud of the work they have done in the communityandfinditdifficult toacceptthatotherswouldnot share this pride.”
OfficersattheSARAProject and detectives from the force’s burglaryteamarenowappealing for anyone with informationabouttheincidenttocome forward.
Sergeant Claire Wood, who leads the SARA Project in Southwick, said: “This crime
has caused considerable anguish and upset to those who workandrelyonSpringboard.
“We are determined to ensure those responsible are brought to justice and are now
asking anybody who saw anythingsuspiciousinthearea–or who thinks they know who are responsible – to get in touch.”
TheSARAProject–anacronym for Southwick Altogether Raising Aspirations – was launched last year to help rejuvenate the area and support the communities who live in the community.
The project sees a number of key organisations and support services all working together under one roof at Austin House, Shakespeare Street, to streamline decisionmaking and provide effective outcomes.
Representatives from police, the local authority, social services, housing, education and health have all signed up to the project.
Anyone with information aboutthecrimeisaskedtocontactpoliceviatheTellUsSomethingpageoftheforce’swebsite or by calling 101.