Where's our scaffolding?

THE work carries on at the Daycare Centre, Bentley Street, Chadderton, following the scaffolding theft

THIEVES stole around £3,000 of scaffolding from a learning disability centre in Chadderton in what has been described as an "unbelievable" getaway.

Criminals climbed over 7ft wire fencing in the middle of the night and dismantled the scaffold tower before making off with the materials.

Workers from Carme Construction had been using the tower for 10 days prior to the theft as part of their contracted work to reclad the outer materials on the Pathways to Opportunities building.

Carme director Ronnie Hall said: "The scaffolding was all fenced off at the Bentley Street site. There was temporary wire mesh fencing around the perimeter so they have climbed over a fence to get to it.

"They have then cut through a chain which was connecting it to a secure point and deconstructed all the scaffolding in the middle of the night. I find it unbelievable that no one heard anything because it is a lengthy process."

The raid was discovered when builders arrived on site the following morning.

In a bid to find evidence Carme has contacted nearby pub Chadderton Bar & Grill to request CCTV footage as well as speaking with nearby residents.

A police investigation is ongoing and a local PCSO has visited the day care centre to "reassure" site workers.

Team leader at Pathways Justine Massey said: "The builders were very upset about it but it hasn't really affected us.

"It hasn't slowed their work down. They have soldiered on. They have been fantastic."

In addition to the loss of £3,000 worth of scaffolding, Mr Hall said they had done the job at a good rate because of a personal connection which makes it a double blow.

He said: "We did the job at a reasonable rate because of the nature of the centre - my sister has special needs - so we cut the job to the bone and now we're suffering the consequences.

"We are also going to have to endure the cost of labour taking the scaffolding down every night and putting it back up every morning while we finish the work.

"It is disappointing."

There is up to three weeks' work remaining at Pathways, where Carme is carrying out works to make the building more weatherproof and sustainable.

Mr Hall urged anyone with information about the incident, or who saw or heard anything to "take responsibility" and report it.

A GMP spokeswoman said: "It was reported to us at 8am on Wednesday, August 2.

"It has happened between 5pm the previous night and 7.50am on Wednesday.

"Unknown offenders removed and stole scaffolding from the side elevation and made off.

"A PCSO spoke with workers on site to offer reassurance.

"We have been trying to find anywhere that has CCTV which will show it happening.

"Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting crime reference 201505C/17."