Teens disgusted by youth club break-in

TEENAGERS have spoken of their disappointment after thieves broke into their youth club and destroyed a TV and Wii games console.

The break-in happened overnight on Wednesday at Chaos, on the same site as Parks Primary School in Orchard Park.

Staff found the 42in TV set and games console smashed outside the building.

Another Wii was taken by the thieves.

Youngsters were so upset they wrote letters to the Mail, asking us to print them in the hope of stirring the consciences of those responsible.

Abigail Tyman, 15, wrote: "We came to the club on the night to find out there had been a burglary.

"They have taken our plasma TV, the Wii and some games.

"They should be ashamed of themselves."

Abigail said she felt bad for Tony Fee, who runs the youth club, and his team of dedicated volunteers.

She said: "I feel sympathy for the staff at the club. They provide everything for everyone.

"They try their best and this happens."

Abigail said all her friends were also upset.

"It is not fair what has happened," she said.

Lonnie Hairsine, 15, attends the club five nights a week.

He said: "I am disgusted by what has happened.

"Before the club opened I would hang around outside shops causing trouble."

Mr Fee said he was informed of the burglary by the building's caretaker on Thursday morning.

He said: "I had a phone call at 6am.

"They smashed the place up. It is a real mess. The glass fire door has been smashed.

"Whoever has done this has taken things away from some of society's most disadvantaged.

"A lot of kids round here don't have a Wii, so they come to Chaos to use ours."

It is not the first time the club has been targeted by thieves.

Almost exactly a year ago a computer, containing the details of dozens of young members, was stolen during a raid.

Last summer, generators used to power floodlights were stolen from a steel container.

Mr Fee said: "We are sick of it. It needs to stop. We can't afford to keep replacing items."

A Humberside Police spokesman said: "A Samsung 42in television and two Wii games consoles and remote controls were taken from the premises.

"It appears that the thieves may have slipped on an icy surface, close to the gates outside the youth club and dropped the television and one of the Wii games consoles.

"These items were found damaged nearby on the footpath."

Anyone with information about the burglary should call police on 101, quoting crime reference number 1889501, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.