Break-in at Glen Gardens kiosk in Heworth, York

North Yorkshire Police said it is investigating the incident at Glen Gardens, in Heworth, which happened on Sunday (August 31).

Julie Couttie, chair of the Friends of Glen Gardens, told The Press that the damage meant volunteers from the group managing the park were unable to open their café inside the kiosk on Sunday.

Doors and windows of the kiosk had been smashed and the inside “trashed”, Ms Couttie said.

Volunteers found the kiosk 'trashed' after the break-in at Glen Gardens, Heworth, on Sunday (August 31) (Image: Supplied) She said the kiosk, the former park keeper’s office, had been converted by volunteers and City of York to provide refreshments during the summer. No money is “ever left in the kiosk”, the group chair added.

Ms Couttie said “lots of sadness was created” by the break-in, describing it as “very disheartening”. “The usual homemade cakes, tea and coffee were not available, [but] more importantly, the camaraderie amongst the visitors had been disrupted. 

“The park is used by young, old, families, groups and many more.”

Damage after the break-in at Glen Gardens, Heworth, on Sunday (August 31) (Image: Supplied) She added: “There has been lots of support from locals, shopkeepers, the council and councillors and the kiosk will be reopening this Saturday [September 6] … Any information should be passed on to North Yorkshire Police.”

Cllr Claire Douglas, City of York Council’s leader who also serves as its Heworth ward councillor, said the break-in was “such sad news”.

“So many people in our community put so much time and effort into making the kiosk and Glen Gardens a lovely place for people around the area to spend time together,” she said in a social media post on Sunday.

The Friends of Glen Gardens team (Image: Supplied) “I dropped by [on Sunday morning] when the police and glazier were there making the place secure. Thanks to everyone who has helped so far. We really appreciate it.”

North Yorkshire Police has urged anyone with information about the break-in to report it to the force.

A police spokesperson said: “We’ve attended and carried out crime scene investigations to support an investigation, which remains under way.

A smashed window after the break-in at Glen Gardens, in Heworth, on Sunday (August 31) (Image: Supplied) “Several other lines of enquiry including reviewing CCTV are also being completed.

“If anyone has information about the incident or captured anything suspicious on CCTV from the area at the time which they have yet to share with us, please call us on 101 and give reference number NYP-31082025-0106.”