Thieves smash way in to kids’ entertainment centre (From Echo)

Thieves smash way in to kids’ entertainment centre

6:03am Monday 9th June 2008 in

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A CHILDREN'S entertainer has branded thieves who stole charity boxes and cash from his play centre as "sick."

Partyman World, in Repton Close, Basildon, had about £2,000 stolen from the company's safe, and £500 from Little Havens Children's Hospice collection boxes. This is the second time the company has been targeted in three months.

The thieves also caused £13,000 damage by ripping off security shutters and smashing a window with a fire extinguisher, before cutting into the safe using angle grinders.

James Sinclair, 22, managing director of Partyman, said: "To take the Little Havens boxes to me is just sick.

"This is a place that is happy, with children laughing and having a great time and all that can be shattered by someone's greed.

"The staff were so upset as there was shattered glass all over the floor and the tills had been prised open."

This is not the first time the entertainment centre has been targeted.

In March, thieves stole a trailer worth £18,000, from outside the building, on the Burnt Mills industrial estate.

Mr Sinclair added: "I think the first theft was carried out by opportunists, but this recent one seems planned.

"They worked out it was half term and went straight to the safe."

The owner, whose stage name is Jimbo, said he would improve security at the site to try to prevent further thefts.

He said: "We are going to put in a new alarm system and some additional CCTV cameras, and make this place like Fort Knox.

"There's a lot of crime in this area but the police are stretched.

"There is not a lot more they can do, but better patrols of Burnt Mills may stop this from happening again." The theft happened overnight on Thursday, May 29.

Chief inspector Simon Dobinson said: "I understand Mr Sinclair's frustation and sympathise that he has suffered at the hands of thieves who have caused such costly damage.

"However at Basildon we have a strong performance record of both attending and solving reported crimes.

"In the Burnt Mills industrial area we have business watch which, like neighbourhood watch, is designed to prevent crimes of this sort by working with local companies.

"Unfortunately, crimes of this sort do occur.

"However Mr Sinclair and other victims can be assured when they do happen we are committed to investigating them and bringing those responsible to justice."