Thieves raid York Maze

Intruders broke through the fence and made their way onto the Elvington site on foot, stealing equipment including slushie machines, leaf blowers and steam cleaners from outbuildings.

Having forced the doors of the buildings, they also emptied six collection buckets for the children's cancer charity Candlelighters estimated to contain hundreds of pounds. 

Tom Pearcy, the owner of York Maze, said: "It's bad enough they stole things we have worked hard to buy, but stealing the money people have been donating to a children's cancer charity is just sick.
"If anyone can help the police find the people who did this, we would really appreciate it."

The thieves had to physically carry the items off site to a waiting vehicle.

Their actions suggested they knew the attraction and how and where to find the equipment and money.
Security was working at the other end of the site at the time of the raid, Mr Pearcy said. 

The items taken included three Star Slush machines, two Stihl backpack leaf blowers, and a Karcher hds 6/12c steam cleaner.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said the incident happened between 7pm on Monday and 7am today.

Scene of crime officers today carefully examined the scene. 

Mr Pearcy said: "They obviously knew where they wanted to be in what they have taken. It's bad enough they have stolen the things that help to give people good day out. The fact they have stooped so low to steal money from a children's cancer charity is sickening."

Candlelighters is a Yorkshire-based charity which supports children with a cancer diagnosis, and their families. 

An online appeal to help track down the thieves had today been shared more than a thousand times on Facebook.

Anyone with information should call North Yorkshire Police on 101. Please quote reference number 79 of 1 September.

If you want to help Candlelighters, you can donate to the charity at their JustGiving page, here.