A community in Warrington is coming together in the face of adversity after the recent theft of over £12,000 worth of park maintenance equipment from Longbarn Park. The incident, which occurred between 11pm and midnight on a Sunday night, saw thieves break into storage containers and make off with valuable tools essential for the upkeep of the park.
The stolen equipment included two sit-on mowers, two hand-push petrol mowers, several strimmers, and various other tools. The impact of this theft on the community was significant, as the tools were used by the Friends of Longbarn Park, a dedicated group of volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain the park and ensure it remains a beautiful green space for all to enjoy.
In response to the theft, Cheshire Police have issued an appeal for information and urged nearby residents to check their CCTV or doorbell cameras for any suspicious activity. The police are working diligently to investigate the incident and are hopeful that the stolen equipment will be recovered.
Despite the setback, the community has rallied together in support of Friends of Longbarn Park. A fundraiser was set up to help replace the stolen equipment, and within days, it has raised an impressive £1,790. This outpouring of support demonstrates the true spirit of community unity and solidarity in the face of adversity.
Residents have also stepped up to offer donations of lawnmowers and gardening tools to help the volunteer group continue their essential work. The generosity of the community has been deeply appreciated by Friends of Longbarn Park, who expressed their gratitude for the support they have received.
The fundraiser page states: “On Sunday, September 8, the containers at Longbarn Park were broken into, and around £12,000 of equipment used to maintain the park was stolen. The containers are owned by Friends of Longbarn Park – a group of volunteers who work tirelessly to keep the park immaculate. Understandably, they cannot afford to replace the items and continue their efforts to maintain the park, which is why this GoFundMe page has been set up. We would like to raise as much funds as possible to replace any equipment we can, which will enable Friends of Longbarn Park to continue its amazing work for our community. Please, if you are able to donate, any help is appreciated. Thank you.”
The impact of the theft has been deeply felt by the volunteer group, who have been left reeling from the loss of their essential equipment. However, the community’s response has given them the motivation to carry on and continue their vital work in maintaining the park for all to enjoy.
One resident expressed their unwavering support, saying: “We are behind you 100 per cent. You do such an amazing job. Thank you all.” Another echoed this sentiment, stating: “The park has never looked so good these last 10 years. Absolutely brilliant work you do.”
The Friends of Longbarn Park have appealed for anyone with information about the theft to come forward and assist in the investigation. They have emphasized the impact that the theft has had on their ability to continue maintaining the park and have urged the community to come together to help in any way they can.
In a statement, Friends of Longbarn Park said: “You won’t see us doing any work on the park for the foreseeable future. We thought the recent vandalism was bad enough, until we turned up to find that the containers had been broken into, the locks taken and all of our equipment had been stolen. If you know or hear anything about this, please let us or the police know. This is our tenth year, but we cannot afford to replace this equipment to continue maintaining the park.”
The impact of the theft has been felt not only by the volunteer group but by the entire community who benefits from the hard work and dedication of Friends of Longbarn Park. The park is a cherished green space in Warrington, and its maintenance is crucial in ensuring that it remains a beautiful and welcoming environment for all to enjoy.
Cheshire Police have reiterated their appeal for information and are urging anyone with knowledge of the theft to come forward. They have emphasized the importance of community cooperation in solving this crime and have asked residents to check their CCTV footage for any suspicious activity on the night of the theft.
In a statement, Cheshire Police said: “This park is run by volunteers, and the theft has had a huge impact on their continued running of one of the best-run parks in Warrington. If you live in the area, please check your CCTV for these times, and if you have any further information, please call the police on 101, quoting IML1914287.”
The community’s response to the theft of park equipment from Longbarn Park has been one of resilience and unity. Despite the challenges they face, Friends of Longbarn Park and the residents of Warrington are coming together to support one another and ensure that the park remains a vibrant and cherished space for all to enjoy.