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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Rebecca Day

Animal charity staff 'devastated' after thieves break into rescue centre with fire extinguisher and bricks

Thieves smashed their way into an animal rescue centre with fire extinguishers and bricks before ransacking the office.

Staff at Pennine Pen on Honeywell Lane, Oldham have been left 'devastated' by the break-in.

Two men, armed with a crowbar, put a brick through the front door just before midnight on Sunday, charity bosses said.

They then climbed through the broken glass, picked up a fire extinguisher and smashed into the office.

They took £60 from a drawer, raffle prizes - including bottles of champagne, and empty collection boxes.

Staff were alerted to the incident by their security company.

Andrea Whitmore, chair of the charity trustees said: "Luckily all the animals are safe. The amount of damage is a nightmare. We are going to have to put grills on the windows, it's going to look like a prison.

"It's devastating - it's so worrying. Anything could have happened to those animals. We have dogs in the kennels, rabbits in the garden and cats in the cattery.

"It doesn't bear thinking about."

Andrea is worried the offenders might use the collection boxes to pose as charity volunteers.

All of the fundraisers who collect for the charity wear ID badges, and they never go door to door for donations.

The charity has CCTV footage of the incident, which shows two men, one aged in their 40s, and another in their 20s, ransacking the premises.

A third man, also believed to be in his 20s, stood guard outside.

Charity staff posted about the break-in on Facebook, along with photos of the damage, which will cost around £3,500 to repair.

The status said: "This is the devastation we found in the early hours of this morning after being alerted by our security company and the police that our premises on Honeywell Lane had been broken into – the same premises where Kenny and all our other animals are housed.

"These callous individuals smashed their way into the premises, ransacked the office, and stole the raffle prizes from yesterday’s fair and a small amount of money.

"In addition, they stole collection boxes and tombola prizes which we had stored for upcoming fundraising events.

"Thankfully, the takings from the fair were not in the premises at the time.

"However, please be vigilant if you see anyone posing as a representative of Pennine Pen with a collection box."

Joanne Worsley from the charity next to a boarded up door (Manchester Evening News)

It's the second time charity bosses have suffered at the hands of mindless vandals in just a matter of months.

Back in October, a Pennine Pen van, used to transport sick animals, was smashed up in a sickening attack.

Vandals threw a brick through the window, slashed the tyres and scratched offensive words into the paintwork.

Anyone who wishes to donate any money towards the charity, can do so by clicking here.

GMP has been contacted for comment.

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