A building that was in the process of being renovated has been smashed up by vandals.
Abertillery Workmens Welfare Institute, which lies on Division Street, was raided and vandalised on Tuesday, October 10.
Police were alerted to the break-in at 4.10pm but officers are still searching for people in connection with the crime.
Windows were smashed, fire extinguishers were set off and paint was thrown around the site’s interior.
It’s a big blow for the institute, which was saved earlier this year after a lengthy campaign.
The building shut its doors to the public in 2016, and it was later put on the market for £70,000 by the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation (CISWO).
But campaign group, Save Our Stute, which was set up by group chairman Mark Lewis as a charitable trust to save the site, managed to get its hands on the keys of the 160-year-old building.
A crowdfunding campaign to secure much-needed funds was set up alongside a board of six trustees, and CISWO remains as residual stake holders of the building.
But the building fell into disrepair after it closed which meant the group had to raise around £18,000 to repair the badly damaged roof.
Leaking water also caused extensive damage to the large function room and other spaces on the top floor.
Back in March the group hoped to raise £20,000 through crowdfunding but now the building has been trashed.
Councillor Julie Holt, who is secretary for the campaign group, spoke of how disappointing the news has been.
Julie said: “It’s just frustrating really.
“We have raised just about enough money to fix it up now and then something like this happens.
“It’s really disappointing as we are working so hard, but it won’t stop us from doing more and carrying on.
“It’s really hard to get things going in the community in Abertillery, but it’s such a close community.
“People have been donating left right and centre to help us raise money for the institute.
“It’s probably going to cost about £300 or £400 to sort out the damage, but it’s not going to stop us.
“We’re fighting more than before now – we’ll carry on together.”
Gwent Police would like to speak to the people shown in these CCTV images as officers believe they may be able to assist with the inquiry.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call Gwent Police on 101 quoting log 305 10/10/17.
Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
