YOBS WREAK HAVOC IN DAY CARE CENTRE RAID
HEARTLESS criminals have targeted a Greenock day care centre for elderly people for the second time in two months - inflicting more than £1,000 of damage on the premises.
Sickened Crown Care Centre owner Meg Wallace has today hit out at the would-be thieves who smashed their way into the facility, branding them ‘scum’.
The centre had only just repaired all the previous damage and now faces another costly four-figure bill.
HEARTLESS criminals have targeted a Greenock day care centre for elderly people for the second time in two months - inflicting more than £1,000 of damage on the premises.
Sickened Crown Care Centre owner Meg Wallace has today hit out at the would-be thieves who smashed their way into the facility, branding them ‘scum’.
They got in through a glass door at the rear of the building and tore the hinge off the door to the centre’s reception.
This is the second time the lifeline King Street facility has been targeted in quick succession.
It was broken into at the end of October, with the intruders using the same method to gain entry.
The centre had only just repaired all the damage when the intuders broke in again.
Meg believes the louts were after cash, but they found nothing due to the centre’s policy of not keeping any money on the premises.
She said: “This is horrifying.
“We don’t keep money in this building anymore because of these scumbag people who think we’re a cash cow.
“It’s so upsetting, I had a St Andrew’s day party planned which our service users put so much into organising.
“They had the place looking lovely and dressed up, made all the flags and organised everything.”
Meg says those responsible should be ashamed of themselves and added that she hopes there will be a stronger response from police this time.
She said: “The police didn’t really do anything last time, I’ve never heard anything back from them. At some point in everyone’s life they’ll need a service like this - even the people who have broken in.
“It’s such a vital part of the community and people are ruining it because they think we have money here they can take.”
Despite the setback, the Crown Care team got to work immediately to clear up the mess so that the party could go ahead.
Meg says she is determined not to let the thieving vandals win. She added: “We said right away we were going to get the window fixed, clean the place and have that party. I’m not stopping my service users getting access to the vital services that they need just because there are nasty people out there.
“But to have this happen twice in a row is horrible, it makes you wonder what the point is.
“I’m scared to leave the place in case it happens again.”
The businesswoman says she is now stepping up security, which will come at a cost.
She said: “CCTV cameras will be getting put up straight away.
“We’re looking at around £1,000 to replace the window and then there’s the door too.
“They just broke the lock last time but the door is smashed this time so it’ll be well over £1,000.
“They took the money boxes, but as I say there was nothing in them - it’s a day centre for older people, we don’t have money in here.
“It’s so sad this has happened again.”
Police Scotland confirmed that they had received a report of the break-in at around 9.10am on Wednesday.
A spokesperson said that inquiries are at an early stage.