An alleged arson at a community centre in North Yorkshire has caused thousands of pounds worth of damage.
North Yorkshire Police is investigating the incident at the Gallows Close Community Centre in Scarborough on Sunday, September 20.
A spokesperson for the community centre in Endcliff Crescent said the damage was “absolutely soul destroying” for its team who “work their backsides off” to run the not-for-profit organisation.
Police and firefighters were called to the blaze at about 2.50am on September 20.
Firefighters were “quick to extinguish the flames, restricting the damage to the property”, a police spokesperson said.
But they said around £3,000 is required “to put the damage right”.
“The community centre is more than just bricks and mortar, it has been an integral part of the community for years,” they said.
“With breakfast clubs, facilities for support groups, our Community Connection events and so much more, it is lucky that the fire damage was limited so quickly.”
PC Sophie Milner, from North Yorkshire Police, urged anyone with information about the reported arson to come forward.
“This type of behaviour will not be tolerated by the police or the community and it will be dealt with robustly,” she said.
The Gallows Close Community Centre spokesperson said the fire destroyed electrical wires resulting in power being cut to the centre’s workshop.
“This means we have to put on hold projects working with young people who are part of our pathway project, choosing to make a change with their lives other than crime,” they said.
They also said a boy was reportedly assaulted at the centre and benches had been vandalised.
“Absolutely no words to the imbeciles that have done this,” the centre’s spokesperson said.
They thanked a member of the public who phoned the fire service, saying the damage “could have been a whole lot worse” if the passer-by did not intervene.
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They added that the group rents the centre from the council and is “fully responsible for all damages and repairs”.
“Yes we may have insurance, but that's beside the point,” they continued, “we are struggling to gain funding at the moment, as are lots of other charities.
“We can certainly do with not having to pay out any more than we need to.”
Anyone with information about the damage is asked to email PC Milner on Sophie.Milner@northyorkshire.police.uk or to phone 101 and ask for Sophie Milner.
Information can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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