Thieves target Scout group

An Auckland Scout group says “low-lives” stole items, purchased after months of fundraising, from their boatshed during Friday night’s storm.

Four kayaks, six paddles and two life jackets were among the items taken from Riverhead Scout Group after thieves entered their storage shed at Murray Jones Reserve in Riverhead, by cutting through the walls in the darkness of a power cut.

The chairwoman of Riverhead Scout Group’s committee, Karen Body, said she was lost for words that thieves would steal from children.

“I am really disheartened that there are people who will steal off a group who give all of their time and effort to create great kids.”

The scouts had fundraised to purchase the stolen items, worth approximately $3500, said Body.

Local residents alerted the group about the burglary on Saturday morning after discovering the gates, which were locked by the council every night, had been cut open.

The metal cladding and wood framing of one of the shed walls was also cut through, where the thieves entered the building.

Body said the group spent “thousands” reinforcing the doors of the shed last year after they were vandalised by people trying to enter.

“Then these s***s came through the wall.

The group did not have insurance, so replacing the stolen items would take months of fundraising, said Body.

“It means we can’t do water activities this summer as a group because we don’t have enough kayaks left for everyone to use.”

The committee will next meet on September 12, when they will discuss plans to replace the stolen items.

A police spokeswoman said an investigation had begun.

— Ophelia Buckleton