Wellfield Working Men's Club ransacked by burglars

Rochdale's oldest working men's club was ransacked by burglars in an overnight raid.

The Wellfield Working Men's Club on Prince Street was broken into between midnight and 6.45am on Wednesday 15 January 2014 with cash, spirits and two charity boxes being stolen.

Colin Dawson, the club’s president, spoke of how the club was demolished by those that broke in.

“They smashed unlocked doors and windows and left the pumps on, flooding the bar. They’ve totally demolished the fruit machines. They’ve took an old safe from upstairs and bounced that downstairs which has wrecked the steps.”

Colin and some of the workers at the bar spent Wednesday cleaning up the mess.

“We worked all day on Wednesday fixing the doors and windows and we had the cleaners in for the bar. We’re having new shutters made for the fruit machines as well.

“All the clubs are struggling at the minute. Things had seemed to be picking up but this has just knocked us for six really.”

An investigation has been launched by officers and Detective Sergeant Andy Duncan whose team are investigating the burglary said "Those responsible will have spent a considerable amount of time inside the club and they have systematically gone from room to room.

"What is particularly distressing for the club and its members is the fact that they have a long history of supporting the local community, and during this burglary the offenders have stolen two charity boxes, one of which is the collection for the children’s party. I am in no doubt that this has deeply upset the committee and club members.

"I am particularly interested in sightings of anyone or any vehicles near the club during the period of Tuesday evening, that being Tuesday into Wednesday.

"As the club has served the community well for a number of years, I appeal to the community in terms of any information that they have that will help us in trying to identify those responsible and to bring them to justice."

Anyone with any information should call police on 0161 856 8549 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.