Burglars wreck African aid plan

BURGLARS made off with equipment due to be sent to families in Africa just days before Christmas.

Every year John Langton of Paint Masters garage in Millers Road, Warwick, saves up piles of car batteries which he sends out to families in rural Gambia, on the west coast of Africa. They are able to use them to generate solar power.

But last Monday night, just days before Christmas, thieves broke into the garage and stole the trunk full of batteries, worth up to £4,000, as well as other equipment.

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Mr Langton said: “This would have done 60 to 70 families for heating in Africa.

“It has taken more than a year to collect this. They will probably only get about £15 in scrap, but they are actually worth between £3,000 to 4,000.

“There were also some catalytic converters and alloy wheels we had saved up that we usually cash in as a Christmas bonus, which we won’t get now.”

Mr Langton says it isn’t the first time he has been broken into but, despite increased security, the burglars still managed to get in.

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“It doesn’t matter how good or clever I think my security is, they still get in,” he said.

“Somebody knows exactly how to get in. I’ve got them on camera. There were two of them, but you can’t see their faces.

“I think they used boltcroppers and a hammer to get in and they had a white pick-up truck. They knew what they were doing and what they were looking for.

“The container was due to go on Monday but was delayed because of the weather.

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“Out there they’ve only got electricity in the cities and bigger towns and even then there are power cuts every five minutes, so these batteries make a massive difference to them.

“I’m very annoyed, it’s for a good cause and it isn’t very nice at all. Maybe it will tug at somebody’s heart strings to try and bring them back.”

A spokesman for Warwickshire Police said: “Some time between 6.30pm on Monday and 6.30am on Tuesday up to 100 batteries together with a number of exhaust systems and vehicle lights, which were being stored for a charity before being shipped to Africa, were stolen.

“This equipment was due to be shipped out to help people in Africa.

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“We appeal to anyone with any information about the theft to listen to their conscience and get in touch.”

If you saw anything suspicious or have any information should contact Warwick police on 684361 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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