BURGLARS have ransacked a charitable project’s workshop, stealing thousands of pounds worth of equipment and throwing paint across the walls.

The offenders cut through the security fencing surrounding Northallerton’s Allertonshire School, smashed in a wired glass security window and smashed through locked doors to gain access to the workshop run by Northallerton Men’s Shed.

It is believed this happened during the evening of Thursday, June 11.

Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, the workshop has been closed and the break-in was made more distressing by the thieves rampaging through the coffee and computer room, picking up computers and throwing them around, wrecking three computers and two large TV monitors.

This was then compounded by them finding tins of pain which they poured over tables and computers and threw around chairs, the floor and wall.

The vandals selected a hammer from the tool store and smashed every glass door including the entrance door, which they were unable to open. There were also various messages painted on walls.

Police were unable to explain the mix of theft and extreme vandalism. Many of the tools were gifted by the supportive community.

Anyone with information should contact North Yorkshire Police on101.