A THIEF who stole the funds raised at St Lawrence’s Primary School fete, described as ‘heartless’ by Cllr Sue Coakley, has once again tested the resolve of community spirit in Lechlade.

The money was to be used to pay for climbing equipment at the school, with the pupils very much involved in the planning of the fete last week and looking forward to using their new play area.

The incident is the latest in a long line of worrying incidents in the town, most notably of course the series of arson attacks which have damaged several buildings including the memorial hall.

Residents must be thinking ‘what on earth is going on?’ and it is to their great credit that they have again quickly picked themselves up off the canvas to kick-start a fundraising campaign so that the pupils don’t miss out.

Friends of St Lawrence School committee have already raised several hundred pounds, donated by residents and businesses, while staff at Lechlade Co-Operative, Colleys and The Crown, among others, must also be praised for their heartfelt efforts.

What’s more, with town mayor Steve Trotter promising eight new CCTV cameras to be erected across the town, this could be the straw that broke the camel’s back in terms of just what the people will endure.

The addition of extra surveillance, along with voluntary patrols in the town, will hopefully prevent any further damaging crimes in Lechlade.