Thieves trash 142-year-old Rhiwderin Community Centre causing £5,000 worth of damage

The 142-year-old Rhiwderin Community Centre, in the Graig area of Newport, was ransacked at about 5am on Sunday morning.

The thieves smashed through the front door and broke several other expensive fire doors in the building as they searched for loot.

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Although they only got away with two laptops, the damage caused is likely to set the community centre back between £3,000 and £5,000, explained chairman Paul Gregory.

“As well as the front door, they smashed through the back door too,” he said.

“They broke into the old headmaster’s house, where the Welsh Railways Research Circle now use three rooms, and smashed the doors to that too.

“It’s caused thousands of pounds worth of damage. We think that they’ve taken two laptops.”

Police are investigating, and say they have some good footprint evidence, but no fingerprints.

They were called to the scene at 9am on Sunday morning, a spokesman confirmed.

(Mr Gregory outside the community centre. Credit: Chris Tinsley)

The community centre dates back to 1877, when it was built as the Village School, a role it performed until 1986.

Groups that rely on the hall include Rhiwderin Village Meithrin, a pre-school nursery, Rhiwderin Indoor Bowls Club, Mothers and Toddlers and Machen Karate Club and the Welsh Railways Research Circle occupies the upper floors of School House.

Parties and quizzes are also held in the centre’s main hall.

“It’s just devastating,” added Mr Gregory.

“I don’t know why people do things like this. The community relies on this centre.”

The spokesman added: “Gwent Police received a report of a burglary at Rhiwderin Community Centre, Newport.

“The burglary is believed to have happened sometime between 5pm on Saturday, February 23, and 6am on Sunday, February 24.

“Entry was gained via force to a front door and two laptops were taken. It is unknown at this time whether anything else was taken.

“Enquiries are ongoing.

“Anyone with information is asked to please all 101 quoting incident 196 of 24/2/2019 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 08005551111 or visit http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org.”