A BREAK-IN at a veterans charity near Andover has proved worse than first feared after it was discovered that further items were stolen.

As reported by the Advertiser, thieves had targeted the headquarters of Veterans In Action, in Redenham Park, in a late-night burglary shortly before midnight on Friday, June 12.

Thankfully, charity founder Billy MacLeod was on the premises at the time, having been manning the phones during the Covid-19 period.

He was able to chase the perpetrators off, before they turned and drove their vehicle at him.

It was initially thought that the only item the thieves made off with was an impact driver. But over the weekend, while a new CCTV system was being installed, operations manager Duncan Crockett discovered that more tools had been stolen.

Billy told the Advertiser: “On the weekend we were getting CCTV installed and Duncan, our operations manager, realised our tool bag was stolen.”

It is estimated the items would cost £800 to replace. They include a Makita 18v cordless circular saw, a Makita tool bag, a Makita job site DAB radio, a Makita cordless jigsaw and a 10.8v drill twin pack.

An appeal to the public for help was shared via social media, and already members of the community have come forward to the aid of the charity.

Dave Attmere, himself a former Royal Engineer, stepped up to purchase one of the stolen items and dropped it off on Monday.

“I put out an appeal and Dave being the way he is, he’s a top guy, turned up on Sunday with one of the tools,” added Billy.

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He also says that further security measures are being put in place in a bid to prevent this from happening in future.

“We’re having more stuff fitted soon,” he continued.

“All the cameras were fitted at the weekend, and we’ve got a meeting with a security advisor tomorrow.”

“It’s become like Fort Knox up here. Which is not really what we were after but unfortunately it’s necessary.”

Hampshire Constabulary says the enquiries into the incident remain ongoing, but that the force has no further updates to provide at that time.

In a previous statement officers asked anyone with information to get in touch, calling 101 and quoting crime reference number 44200212657.