Members of Slaithwaite Community Centre have been left reeling after teenagers went on a wrecking spree.
The yobs caused wanton damage, attacking a treasured tapestry in the foyer, smashing the glass with a fire extinguisher.
Centre chairman Ali Robson said: “They have attacked the heart of the community. It’s shameful.”
The break-in happened at the centre in Bank Gate at around 8pm on Wednesday.
Ali, chairman since 2008, said: “We heard that about the same time some kids had run into the nearby Co-op and stolen some alcohol. It seems that it’s very possibly the same set of young people.
“They have aimed a hammer blow at the heart of Slaithwaite by smashing the special glass housing our 9ft long tapestry which was lovingly put together by a large number of local groups including the Brownies, Scouts, Cubs, Moonrakers and others.
“It will cost us £1,000 to repair the damage to the glass. Fortunately the tapestry itself was undamaged.
“Strangely, they took the fire extinguisher from the other side of the centre to smash it with rather than using a much nearer one.
“They also smashed the door into the Slaithwaite Playgroup and Toddlers which meant that group couldn’t meet on Thursday, causing a lot of problems for all the mums and dads who use the facility.
“They only seemed to want to cause damage. We believe the only thing stolen was an iPad.
“Despite everything we are really lucky because people have been turning up to help.
“They can’t understand why anyone would wish to trash their own heritage.”
The centre’s AGM will be held on Monday at 7pm and Ali wants to encourage volunteers to come forward. Fundraising to repair the damage and improve security will be top of the agenda.
