Anger after thieves steal charity boxes

A number of charity boxes containing donations for the Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance were stolen in the break-in at Brierley Forest Park Visitor Centre.

Money raised from a community calendar was also taken in the break-in on Tuesday, November 28, at about 3am.

Rob Allen, a trustee at the centre, said: “We have just had new shutters installed, which we were told would not be able to be over-ridden from the outside, but somehow they have been.

“There wasn’t a lot of money stolen because we empty it regularly, because last year £180 was stolen from the charity box.

“However, it is disheartening. They are not just attacking the organisation but the community – they are the ones who suffer in the end as our profits go back into the park.”

The calendar, set up by the Huthwaite Volunteers Group, aimed to raise money for events for children in the village for next year.

Nottinghamshire Police said they responded to the break in at 5,30am and are appealing for information.

Mr Allen said: “There is not a lot we can do about the break in without some help by the community – someone might know who is targeting us.

“The volunteers found a note from the police on the morning saying they had been.”

The centre has now reopened to the public after briefly closing following the burglary.

A Nottinghamshire Police spokeswoman said: “We were called to Brierley Forest Park on Tuesday, November 28, at about 5.30am, after receiving a report of a burglary.

“Officers are investigating and appealing to anyone with any information that could help to contact us on 101, quoting incident 70 of November 28.”