DEVASTATED youngsters in Teignmouth have issued an appeal after their scout hut was raided and vandalised.

Thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused after intruders climbed the security fence and forced open a fire door at the 4th Teignmouth Scout Group’s headquarters on Park Hill several weeks ago. 

Now, scout leaders say they have evidence the intruders have again climbed the security fencing to gain access to the area outside the hut. 

The original break-in happened sometime between Tuesday August 27 and Thursday September 5.  

Once inside, they destroyed large amounts of activity equipment, stole whittling knives, damaged fire extinguishers and first aid kits and poured glue and varnish over the carpet. 

They also urinated in all the electrical appliances in the kitchen and on the carpet.

The damage was discovered when volunteer leaders arrived at the hut for the first meeting of term.  

Police attended the scene to collect fingerprints and swabs, but as yet, no arrests have been made. 

Jo Saxton, 4th Teignmouth Scout Group Leader, said: ‘Our Scout Group is an important part of Teignmouth’s community. 

‘This incident has caused great upset to all our young members and volunteers, who were unable to use the hut for a few weeks while a deep clean took place and replacement safety equipment was purchased. ‘Thankfully Teignmouth Town Council kindly offered us the use of Bitton House in the meantime and also generously installed a new security camera on site. 

‘There is evidence that someone is still climbing the security fencing to access the area outside of the hut, so if you are nearby, please keep an eye out for anything suspicious and report it.’

Ten-year-old scout Archie Truhol said: ‘I’m really sad that this happened. 

‘We put a lot of time and effort in to making our little hut a place where we can come to have fun, learn new things and feel safe. 

‘I don’t understand why someone was trying to ruin that and take something away from us.’

Plans are underway to replace the scout hut and neighbouring buildings below Bitton Park as part of a multi-million-pound project to improve facilities for young people in Teignmouth.  

Determined not to let the break-in spoil their fun, the Scout Group has an exciting ‘Sprouts for Scout’ community fundraising event planned for Saturday December 7 between 11am and 5pm in The Triangle featuring hook a sprout, sprout lucky dip, guess the sprouts in the jar and a sprout hunt around town.

The event will be opened by Santa, with music to entertain the crowds, mince pies to munch on and a lantern parade to enjoy. 

Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to contact police by calling 101 and quoting crime reference number 50240225563.