Housebreakers steal £20,000 of equipment

Housebreakers smashed their way into an East Linton social enterprise before cleaning it out of £20,000 worth of high-tech equipment.

Devastated staff at Viarama have had to put their work with children, the elderly and terminally ill on hold after the raid in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The thieves even stole a collection tin for a hospice. “They smashed their way through a side window, clambered through and basically took everything,” said Viarama chief executive, Billy Agnew, 44.

Police are investigating.