A charity that distributes food to people in need said it had been "devastated" after thieves smashed into its warehouse and ruined tonnes of supplies. FareShare North East said the break-in at its Teesside base on Tuesday forced it to close after perishables were spoiled when the power to its walk-in freezer and chiller units was cut.
The charity said it lost 16 tonnes of food, the equivalent of 7,000 meals. Middlesbrough hub manager Natasha Flanagan said the damage was "heartbreaking" and said the team tries its best every day to get food to people who need it.
"We've got a really great team of volunteers and staff and we try our best every day to get food out to people that need it."
FareShare North East redistributes food donated by supermarkets from its warehouses in Newcastle and Middlesbrough to more than 200 community groups, including food banks. The charity has been in Middlesbrough since 2023 and moved to its new base on Skippers Lane about four months ago.
Flanagan said she discovered the damage when she arrived for work.
"Lockers were ransacked, the staff drawers in the main warehouse were ransacked, and then I've seen the chiller doors were left open and the freezer door which has caused significant damage to food.
"Honestly it's heartbreaking and we do really good things here."
FareShare North East chief executive officer Jake Hanmore said his team were devastated by what they found. He said it was especially upsetting because the charity had only recently moved into the warehouse.
"It stings when you come in and find that the warehouse has been broken into.
"The team that are based here day in and day out are absolutely devastated.
"We've not long moved into this warehouse and so to come in and find it had been broken into was absolutely heartbreaking for them."
Cleveland Police said it received a report of a break-in at the premises at around 07:40 BST on Tuesday. It said an investigation was ongoing and asked anyone with information to get in touch.
When will the Middlesbrough hub reopen?
The Middlesbrough hub is due to reopen on Thursday, after the charity closed following the theft and damage.
FareShare North East continues to operate from its warehouses in Newcastle and Middlesbrough, distributing donated supermarket food to community groups across the region.
What did the charity lose?
The theft caused major damage to stored food because the power to the walk-in freezer and chiller units was cut, meaning milk, meat and other perishables had to be thrown out. The charity said the loss amounted to 16 tonnes of food, or the equivalent of 7,000 meals.
Flanagan said the charity does "really good things" in the community and described the incident as heartbreaking for staff and volunteers.
What has police said?
Cleveland Police said the reported break-in happened at around 07:40 BST on Tuesday. Officers said their investigation was continuing and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
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