Cruel thief leaves horrible scene at Scots charity with toys 'covered in blood'
Police were alerted to the break-in after staff turned up to find what looked like a 'murder scene' with blood on the walls and floor.
A cruel thief has left children's toys in a Scots charity covered in blood during an early morning robbery.
Royston Youth Action alerted police to the break-in after staff turned up at the Charles Street premises on Friday, May 16, to find what looked like a 'murder scene' with blood on the walls and floor, reports Glasgow Live. It was later discovered a thief had cut themselves when entering through a window they had smashed.
Thousands of pounds worth of games, music equipment, speakers, electric guitars, art equipment and gaming systems were among the items taken, the charity say. While they are still counting the cost of the break-in, they have been forced to call in crime scene cleaners and dispose of blood-soaked items.
Project Manager Sharon Kelly said: "One of the staff came in the morning and saw blood on the floor and called the police. It wasn't until Monday that we got in after the forensics had taken samples of the blood.
"It was really bad. There was blood in every room and things that had been contaminated had to be binned.
"We've not had the time to count up everything that was stolen or had to be thrown out. But it is certainly a good few thousand pounds worth of stuff.
"It's not just the big stuff like Playstations, we will also need to replace bean bags, cushions and art supplies. It's been deflating.
"We've been providing these opportunities for young people in the area for over 30 years and nothing like this has happened before. The only time we usually close is Christmas time and a week in the summer to deep clean.
" Closing will definitely affect the kids who come here. Some come three or four times a week and they get food while they are here."
Sharon and the team are now hard at work trying to open again next week. Sharon continued: "We're going to re-open again next week, bigger and better.
"No one is ever going to stop us from helping our local community."
Councillor Allan Casey slammed the incident, he said: "I'm absolutely devastated for the young people and staff affected by this disgusting act. RYA is a fantastic organisation doing incredible work for the young people of Royston and the surrounding areas.
"For them to suffer a break-in, with vital equipment and resources stolen — items that directly support young people in the community — is heartbreaking. They should not have to deal with this kind of senseless behaviour. Our community stands with them, and we will do everything we can to support their work moving forward.'
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Around 2pm on Friday, 16 May, 2025, we received a report of a break-in to and theft from a premises on Charles Street, Glasgow.
' Enquiries are ongoing.'
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