The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Break-in attempt after community fridge launched
Raiders strike at Letham4All hub days after opening of free food initiative for crisis help
Nocturnal raiders have attempted to break into a Perth community centre which recently launched its community fridge.
The crooks had tried to force their way into the Letham4All hub on Tweedsmuir Road on Wednesday night.
Employees arrived yesterday morning to find three different alarms in different parts of the building had been tripped and entry via a set of double doors had been attempted.
Chairman Jon Kidd said: “The alarm was sounding when staff arrived. In three areas, it had been tripped. Occasionally the wind sets off one alarm but not three.
“The double doors had been forced open but not the whole way. They didn’t get in to take anything but it’s a little bit worrying.”
Staff at the former LiveActive centre had been celebrating the launch of their community fridge, where members of the community could access food for free.
Already, between 30 and 40 food packages are being distributed from the centre each day, through collections and deliveries.
The project had been designed to reduce food waste and has been bolstered by backing from local supermarkets and caterers.
The service is already proving more helpful than that due to the increased number of people whose income has become uncertain or lost completely.
The would-be thieves attempt to break into the centre was branded bizarre by management, given that the food inside is being given away for free.
“It’s ridiculous that people are trying to steal. I can’t get my head around it,” Jon added.
“This is particularly disappointing since we are giving away free food. There is literally no need to try and steal it as we are giving it away.
“Thankfully, our security systems worked the way they should and nothing appears to have been stolen.
“However, we will carry on doing what we do – particularly since we have received another great set of donations today from our business supporters.”
Board member and Perth City North councillor John Rebbeck said: “When there is such good work going on in the community by volunteers, who are themselves part of the community, it’s disappointing for that to be undermined potentially, although in the end no harm was done.”
The team at Letham4All were given a huge boost last month when the Scottish Government recommended the centre’s bid for £1 million towards a major refurbishment for approval.