Hallowe'en party cancelled after Manvers play centre break-in

A HALLOWE’EN party for children with special needs had to be cancelled after a break-in at a play centre.

But owner Simon Jesson vowed to reopen family-run Play Valley in Wath to customers as soon as possible.

He said: “We’re utterly devastated. We’re a small family business with regular customers and many children who love to visit us week in, week out and this is beyond heartbreaking.

“But the show must go on. As soon as we can make it safe and the police have signed it off, we will be back up and running.”

Cleaners arrived at the centre, on Rotary Drive off Manvers Way, to find damage and items stolen on Wednesday (25) morning. One of the tills was found in Broomhill.

CCTV from the premises is being reviewed and appears to narrow the break-in to between 10.30pm and 11.30pm on Tuesday.

“The centre was broken into and there were valuables taken,” said Simon. “They broke in through an external wall and ruined one of the children’s party rooms.

“They have driven a van down the banking and the grass verge and then broken through the fencing to get to the exterior wall. It has not been a one-man job.

“We had a special needs event for Hallowe’en on Wednesday evening which we had to cancel.”