Ram-raiders rip 10ft window from Wolverhampton Academy wall
Ram-raiders used chains and a van to pull a huge cast iron window frame out of a Wolverhampton venue and steal stock worth more than £6,000.
The gang targeted Wolverhampton Academy, formerly Starworks, on Frederick Street in the early hours of September 24, escaping with a large quantity of alcohol and spirits and causing thousands of pounds of damage to the building.
It is thought they were only prevented from escaping with a bigger haul after diligent neighbours raised the alarm having heard the commotion of the van which wrenched the 10ft high window straight out of the wall.
A spokesman for Wolverhampton Academy today confirmed the incident had led to last weekend’s House of Eden club classics event having to be rescheduled to another date before the end of the year.
Although the only items taken were from the stock room, damage was caused to production, sound and lighting equipment in the main warehouse.
West Midlands Police are investigating the raid.
The Academy spokesman said: “Our staff worked around the clock to try and fix the numerous problems caused by the raid and to try and get the venue back up and running but we have had to reschedule the show, which will now take place before the end of the year once we have secured an available date for the artists.”
He added: “All tickets remain valid for this new date and we remain committed to bringing the latest club classics events and many other top shows to the region in what is Wolverhampton’s premier entertainment venue.”
In May a fire caused major damage to a newly refurbished bar area of the Grade II-listed Starworks building before it was relaunched in August as Wolverhampton Academy.
