Bosses of a day centre which offers help to the homeless say their work has been set back by six months following two break-ins in 48 hours.
Volunteers at Shrewsbury Ark on Castle Foregate arrived on Thursday morning (December 18), to discover the drop-in centre had been ‘turned upside down’.
Phil Griffiths, manager of the Ark, said the centre was run by donations and that funds set aside for future educational and computer projects will now have to be spent on installing a security system – which could cost thousands of pounds.
But there is some hope for centre bosses, with borough councillors and members of the Community Safety Partnership discussing plans to stump up funding to help pay for cameras and other security measures.
The centre was first broken into overnight last Tuesday (December 16).
A man has been arrested in connection with the incident and released on police bail pending further inquiries.
The second incident took place overnight last Wednesday (December 18), where a DVD player was taken and £100 worth of damage caused.
Mr Griffiths said: “I’m waiting for some quotations for emergency installation of commercial shutters. They will cost a couple of thousand of pounds and these two incidents have put us back six months.”
Malcolm Price, SABC portfolio holder for housing, said that the cabinet recently agreed to give the Ark £26,000 towards centre improvements and if those running the centre came to talk to them they would see what they could do to help.
Anyone wishing to make a donation can visit www.shrewsburyark.co.uk or call 01743 363305.
Anyone with information about either incident can contact West Mercia Police on 0300 333 3000.