COMMUNITY cash could come to the rescue after heartless thieves targeted a children’s centre in Dudley.

Raiders took items worth a total of £3,000 from the Dudley Council-run Sycamore Adventure on Old Park Farm Estate during incidents on January 17 and 28.

The centre sits on the borders of the Castle and Priory and Upper Gornal and Woodsetton wards and councillors from both areas have pledged cash to replace the stolen items and beef up security.

Cllr Adam Aston, from Upper Gornal and Woodsetton, said: “Between the two wards we have pledges from area forum grants to offer £2,000 from each.

“That is what it’s there for, for a long time in our wards people have not been bidding for it.

“It is pointless it sitting in a bank account, I would rather it was used where it is needed.”

Stolen items include power tools used by staff for the upkeep of the centre plus three senior Berg go-karts used by youngsters with special needs.

Councillor Tim Crumpton, Dudley cabinet member for children’s services and lifelong learning, said: “I am sickened by the actions of these thieves. These are local children who are the victims of this crime and we are working with police to catch the culprits.

“I strongly urge anyone who knows anything about the burglary or the stolen items to contact the police immediately.”

Missing items also include aDewalt sander, a Makita hand held circular saw, a Makita two-speed Hammer Drill, a Shindaiwa 2T leaf blower, a Makita Jigsaw, a STIHL Strimmer and a JCB hand held power drill.

All items were marked and can be identified as belonging to Sycamore Adventure, due to terms on the insurance policy of the centre the items will not be able to be replaced.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Dudley police by dialling 101.