A RESPITE centre in Winsford for people with mental and physical disabilities has been targeted by thugs who have stolen items outside the building and subjected residents to cruel verbal abuse.

The establishment in Crook Lane has fallen victim to a spate of crimes over the past 18 months.

Vegetables, including tomatoes, potatoes and onions, have been thrown at the building on several occasions.

And in the most recent incident, a barbecue was stolen from outside the premises. Other items taken include two hydraulic beds and a motorbike.

Thieves have even attempted to remove a chimney from the roof of the building.

A spokesman from the centre said: "We use this barbecue for the clients - for people with learning difficulties.

"We left it just outside the bungalow and at night somebody stole it. It was a red round kettle barbecue which was quite expensive.

"We have informed the police about it and they are investigating it. People know this place is for people who are very disabled and so it was a heartless thing to do.

"All the year round we receive abuse from kids and teenagers and everything we leave outside is stolen. A member of my staff even had her motorbike taken.

"At night we have staff sleeping and on night duty and they are scared to go outside.

"People are in front of the bungalow smashing car windows and we take a lot of abuse from them. It's very disturbing for the clients and ourselves.

"They throw potatoes, stones, onions and tomatoes and in the morning we have to clear everything up.

"The police and health authority have been informed about it. It's been going on for about 18 months.

"One night some thieves tried to steal the chimney, they were pulling it through the roof. But as soon as the police were called they disappeared.

"They know what the bungalow is used for and they call the clients "nutters" and other terrible names," he added.

A spokesman for Congleton and Vale Royal Police Division said: "In this division we are running something called Operation Nobel 2, which is designed to target areas with nuisance youth problems.

"Officers and special constables pay particular attention to places throughout the division which suffer from problems like these.

"I'm not sure of the exact areas they patrol, but it's likely that this could be an area which the police would attend if there have been reports of youth problems on numerous occasions."

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