A Chippenham scout group have been left reeling after their trailer was stolen during their Christmas break.
The trailer was taken from outside the scout hut on Derriads Lane in Chippenham, between December 14 and Boxing Day, 2022. It is used to transport the group’s equipment during camping trips.
3rd Chippenham Scout Group's chairperson, Helen Baker, says the loss of the trailer will impact their ability to take scouts away on future camping trips, including this year’s celebration of the scouts’ 80th anniversary in May.
She said: “We were devastated to find that the trailer had been stolen because it’s such an important thing for scout camps.
“If you’re taking a scout group away you need to take a lot of equipment because you need tents, all the cooking equipment and food, you might need to take equipment for activities.
“Clearly not having it will have a real impact on us. We don’t know if we can do camps because we will need somebody to take all the equipment… it’s impacting the opportunities for young people.”
The trailer was last seen on December 14 when the scouts ended their activities ahead of the Christmas holidays.
Group members discovered it had been taken on Boxing Day after somebody cut through the security chain to open the gate and removed a clamp from the trailer’s towbar.
The scouts are appealing for any locals who may have seen something to contact the police with any information that may help them retrieve the trailer.
Mrs Baker is now worried that, when the trailer is replaced, they will be targeted again. The group are appealing for local architects and builders to help them construct an extension to the hut, to safely store any new trailer.
She added: “What we’re really worried about is if we go and buy another trailer thieves will know how to come back again. We’re worried we will be targeted.
“We’d like to appeal to any local architects or builders who could help us design a small extension to that end of the building so we can make it secure storage and improve the facilities at the hut.”
The theft has been reported to the police who are carrying out enquiries into the incident.
They have urged anyone with information to call 101 and quote crime reference number 54220134941.
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