Charity that helps addicts hit by break-in (From The Oxford Times)

Charity that helps addicts hit by break-in

9:30am Thursday 24th May 2012 in News

A CHARITY that helps recovering addicts in Oxford believes its offices were burgled by someone desperate to fund their habit.

Laptops and a digital camera worth about £2,000 were taken from the Aspire offices in Osney Lane on Monday night after window panes were smashed and doors kicked in as the burglar broke into the building.

But although they are angry, staff at the charity have said they want to help the person who stole the equipment.

Earlier this year Thames Valley Police said a rise in burglaries was fuelled by addicts.

Head of fundraising at Aspire, Jane Harris – pictured with baby Minnie Tyler-Harris and, from left, Ian Adshead and Darren Stevens – said: “There’s a strange kind of irony to this break-in as it was almost certainly committed to fund an addiction to heroin and/or crack. We work every day to support people away from these devastating addictions and into permanent employment.

“We know that whoever did this is in a pretty desperate state.”

Figures for the last year showed there were 640 reports of break-ins during 2010/11 which leapt to 846 in 2011/12 – a rise of 32 per cent.

At the time Oxford police commander, Acting Superintendent Chris Sharp, said: “Almost 100 per cent of burglars have class A drug addictions and we know that because we test them when they come in to custody.”

l The charity is hoping supporters come forward to help pay for repairs and new equipment so it can continue its work. Donations can be made at www.aspireoxford.co.uk/support-us-3/ and anyone with information about the burglary can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Picture: OX52102 Ed Nix