Thousands worth equipment stolen in Essex club break-in

The break-in at UTurn4Support happened between 4.30am and 7.30am on June 13 and was discovered at around 7.45am when a staff member arrived to start work.

Youth worker Emily Jackson said the team were heartbroken when they discovered the hub had been targeted.

Max Hughes (youth worker), Emily Jackson (volunteer youth worker) and Steven Baldock (youth worker). (Image: Public)

“We were absolutely devastated when we realised the hub had been broken into,” she said.

“The hub is meant to be a safe space for young people, so to arrive and find that someone had broken in and taken so much was heart-breaking.”

The stolen equipment includes PlayStations, Xbox consoles, iPads, important documents, arts and crafts supplies, and handmade bracelets created by young people at the hub.

Emily said the loss goes far beyond the financial value.

“Some of these items were used every day in our sessions, and some had real meaning to our young people because they had made them themselves,” she said.

The theft has had a major impact on the organisation’s services, forcing UTurn4Support to call off its after-school clubs while staff work to make the hub safe again.

The youth club has been an active part of the community (Image: Public)

One-to-one mentoring sessions and planned support are continuing where possible.

“The hub is more than just a building,” Emily said. “It is a safe space where young people come for support, mentoring, activities, confidence-building and somewhere positive to be.”

Following the incident, the community has rallied around the charity, with donations and support continuing to come in.

A fundraising appeal launched to help replace stolen items and restore the hub has already raised almost £1,500 towards its £3,000 target.

Businesses in the area have stepped in to help, with one donating a games console and games, while others have offered support.

Anyone with information about suspicious activity between 4.30am and 7.30am on Saturday is urged to contact Essex Police, quoting crime reference number 42/93039/26.

Essex Police have been contacted to provide a comment.