POLICE are appealing for information after thieves smashed their way into sheds in an overnight spree at the community garden and allotments off Fatherford Lane in Okehampton.

They broke into the Men in Sheds shed after apparently hacking at the door with a hammer sometime during the night of Sunday to Monday (October 20-21). Electrical tools and a brand-new compressor were taken. The Okehampton Community Garden shed next door was also broken into and allotments on the site next door.

Karen Percival, who looks after the allotments, said that 17 sheds were broken into and owners were now trying to esablish what had been taken.

‘They didn’t actually break the gate to access the site so they must have been on foot,’ she said. ‘It is disappointing for everyone who now has to go and repair their sheds and see what is missing. The vast majority of locks were broken off. Hopefully no one has lost anything permanently and everything will be returned to us. Strimmers were taken but were found later thrown in the hedge.’

Men in Sheds volunteer Graham Storer, who is a retired police officer, said: ‘They got in through our main door. We have double doors in there and they have got a jemmy in there and ripped the main lock out and pulled the door open. We had three locks on the door. The only thing I found was the end of a hammer they left behind.

‘It is annoying that they have takens all these tools that people have kindly given us and a compressor which was brand new and given to us by a woman in memory of her husband. Over the course of the coming week we will be putting a list together of what is missing and we would be grateful if anyone knows anything could go to the police.’

Linda Harper, from Okehampton Community Garden, said they were ‘heartbroken’ at the incident.

‘The crime has been reported to the police and we have a crime reference number CR/095235/19 and we urge anyone with any details to contact the police.

‘Both of the projects are run by volunteers and it is incredible disheartening when individuals cause so much damage.

She added: ‘Both Okehampton Community Garden and the Men in Sheds provide an important community service. We both provide the opportunity for people to get together, supporting people who are isolated or struggling. Some of our members have long-term health issues and really benefit from the time they spend with us.Why anyone would want to target either project is baffling.’

Shed owners on the allotments have also reported thefts to the police, with crime references CR/085213/19 referring to the theft of tools from one shed and CR/095369/19 to another.

Okehampton PCSO Lisa Smith said: ’If anyone is offered tools to buy or has any idea who the offenders may be, please get in touch with the police as soon as possible.’