The owner of a Forfar children’s nursery has criticised the ”inhuman” burglars who broke in and wrecked the office.
Cherie Butler of Jack and Jill’s Nursery in Carseview Road was unaware of the break-in until Monday, when staff found the back window smashed and the office in disarray.
The safe had been opened with a crowbar and its contents stolen. The wall was damaged when the thieves tried to rip out the safe, which was bolted to the floor.
”I got a phone call and turned up to work and just burst into tears,” Ms Butler said. ”I don’t understand how anyone could do this.
”It was done some time between Friday night and Monday morning. Me and the girls are really upset. Things haven’t been the same for us since Monday.”
Ms Butler said she was thankful that the fees had been banked before the weekend. However, around £300 of fundraising money in various tubs and jars was taken along with lottery money from the staff syndicate and cash for the Loons Lottery.
Much of the £300 was raised by staff in their own time at coffee mornings and other events.
”The girls will never get that time back,” she said. ”And I can’t replace all the money that was taken all at once.
”It wasn’t just the money that is a blow it’s the damage that was done to the walls and the floor, desks getting stood on. We just bought a new computer desk and that was to be paid for out of the fundraising money. I’m just thankful they didn’t manage to get it out of the office.
“I don’t think it being a nursery would have stopped these people. It was inhuman. They even stole the shed key.
”Thankfully the computer hasn’t been touched but I think they were only after the money. The business credit card was gone too but I got that cancelled quick enough.”
Ms Butler said she was ”sickened” that the nursery was targeted.
”I built this business from the ground over the last five years. People assume there’s lots of money but I was very close to losing it all (had the fees been in the safe).”
Staff will carry on and are holding a coffee morning for parents on Saturday. Any offers of assistance can be made by calling 01307 461002. Anyone with information about the break-in can contact police on 0300 111 2222 or speak to any officer.