RNLI collection mine raided by thieves

4:00pm Saturday 18th August 2012 in Latest

Jo Evans and Emma Brooks with the money collection sea mine Jo Evans and Emma Brooks with the money collection sea mine

THIEVES have stolen charity money from an historic WWII mine.

Staff at the Kings Arms pub, Trinity Street, Weymouth, were shocked to discover the mine used for years as a collection box for the RNLI had been broken into.

Jo Evans, manager of the pub, said: “We came in this morning and it was right down the street in the alleyway.

“The collection money for the RNLI is all gone, there’s nothing left. It hadn’t been emptied in four years so there would have been a fair amount in there, probably hundreds of pounds.

“Basically they’ve stolen the charity’s money.

“It’s disgusting, absolutely disgusting. The mine has always been there, people always walk by and stop to read it, it’s part of history.”

A spokesman for the RNLI said: “The mine-shaped collection box belongs to the Kings Arms pub which is a longstanding supporter of the RNLI – there are two RNLI collection boxes inside the pub which are regularly emptied and the funds given to the charity’s local fundraisers.

“We are very sorry to hear that the pub’s fundraising efforts have been affected by this vandalism and theft and condemn those responsible.”

A Dorset Police spokesman said: “It was reported that the World War II mine used by the RNLI had been rolled away and found in an alleyway nearby.

“The offenders had unscrewed the bottom and taken cash of an unknown value from inside.

“We are appealing for anyone who saw or heard anything or knows about this incident to get in contact.”

Anyone with information can contact Dorset Police on 101.

Comments(9)

PORTLAND ROVER says...
7:03pm Sat 18 Aug 12

Such a shame, and I hope those responsible get caught (Highly Unlikely!) However, It does beg the question..."Why leave it for 4 years before emptying the thing? Surely it would be prudent to regularly empty it?"

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annotator1 says...
9:50pm Sat 18 Aug 12

I just hope the perpetrators of this heinous crime, don't ever need the RNLI for assistance as they do not deserve any!

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I'mavoter says...
10:07pm Sat 18 Aug 12

Seems there are no depths to which thoughtless scum won't sink to. What a lousy thing to do

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wykeregislad says...
1:05am Sun 19 Aug 12

Second all the above hopefully it's in a prominent place and they have been caught on some CCTV

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Merrittpr says...
10:56am Sun 19 Aug 12

Let's hope the CCTV managed to capture its theft and sheds some light as to the low life that stole the money. Such a shame when you consider the money goes to a very worthwhile charity.

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shy talk says...
10:57am Sun 19 Aug 12

Not the first time this has happened. About fourteen years ago the mine was taken from the outside of the Kings Arms. It was latter found in a field at Chickerell still with the money inside.

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roger goss says...
2:16pm Sun 19 Aug 12

Keel haul the swines use the Condor its nice and wide

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martaaay2 says...
11:02pm Sun 19 Aug 12

Surprised the cctv operators didnt see this? whats the point if they cant see somethin like this going on - hardly a 2 minute job it must be some weight...

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oldbrock says...
5:15pm Tue 21 Aug 12

noticed that mine when we first came to Weymouth, next door to Bennetts, when the hotel evening meal was a bit disappointing the chips with whatever went down a treat. The scum that did this are an indication of the times we live in, no respect for anything or anybody, perhaps if it was stolen for drugs they might have got a particularly "fine" sample? here's hoping because the law enforcement is a laugh, more chance of getting banged up for a motoring offence

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