A break-in at a Scout hut has seen equipment stolen and damage to the building leaving children having nowhere to meet until the building is made safe.

Beavers, Cubs and Scouts who use the Scout hut on Plascrug Avenue in Aberystwyth were forced to brave the weather last week to attend their meeting outside after the vandalism left the building “dangerous to use”.

Jon Snelling, Group Scout Leader for 3rd Aberystwyth, said that the youngsters “held fast to the traditions of Baden Powell’s initial scouting laws; ‘a Scout smiles and whistles under all circumstances’” and still met up “even under the horrible circumstances”.

The break-in, which police are investigating, happened sometime between Friday, 7 June and 1pm on Sunday, 9 June.

“We have had electricals stolen, including laptops and projectors,” Mr Snelling said.

“We have had damage to our padlocks, an inside door, potential damage to our office and potentially stolen tents.”

He said that the Scout movement could be facing “a big cost” to replace the stolen and damaged items.

“The effects on the running of Scouts [of the break-in] meant that we had to go outside in the rain, but it also means that until cleared or sorted the scout hut is very dangerous for us to use," he said.

“Things are now tight [financially] and we are not sure on the costs of cleaning the hut or replacing what is lost.

“This will obviously affect Scouting in the area too if some of our tents or stores have been affected.”

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