The owner of a children’s soft play centre in Sudbury says she is “devastated” after thieves broke in and stole cash – causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.
Sarah Cades, 39, owner of Rainbow Fun on the Chilton Industrial Estate in the town, says she is heartbroken after burglars targeted the centre overnight between Sunday and Monday.
The indoor soft play centre was forced to close due to the incident, which saw the office raided and toy vending machines damaged, but is aiming to reopen by Wednesday.
Around £800 was stolen in the incident, including a collection of special edition coins.
Speaking to the EADT, Mrs Cades said: “I’m absolutely gutted. For someone to do this is devastating really.
“I’m not sure yet how much has been stolen and there is a lot of damage, windows have been smashed and doors kicked in.
“I had a collection of coins on the wall in my office and they even took them.
“It’s more the shock of it. We celebrated our fifth birthday on May 25 and something like this just destroys a lot of our hard work.”
Mrs Cades’ husband Xavier discovered the break-in on Monday morning and the owner says the centre is hoping to open its doors again tomorrow.
“It will take us a couple of days,” she said.
“The toy vending machines will have to be out of order until they get fixed but we are hoping to reopen on Wednesday.”
Suffolk police is appealing for witness to the incident or anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area to come forward.
A force spokeswoman said: “At some point between Sunday, June 10, at 7.45pm and Monday, June 11, at 8.30am, offenders smashed a window to gain access to the Rainbow Fun centre on Addison Road.
“Following an untidy search of the premises, offenders stole an amount of cash.
“Police would be interested in hearing from anyone who may have seen or heard any suspicious activity in the Addison Road area between 7.45pm on Sunday and 8.30am on Monday.”
Any information can be reported to Suffolk police on 101, quoting crime reference 37/31883/18 or alternatively, contact independent crime fighting charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
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