RAFFLE prizes and miniature charity lifeboats were stolen in a raid on the Ipswich Sea Cadets.Beer and spirits, due to be raffled off to raise money for the organisation were stolen along with 24 lifeboats and some binoculars.

RAFFLE prizes and miniature charity lifeboats were stolen in a raid on the Ipswich Sea Cadets.

Beer and spirits, due to be raffled off to raise money for the organisation were stolen along with 24 lifeboats and some binoculars.

Every £1 from the sale of the lifeboats, which are worth around £7.50 was to go to the Royal National Lifeboat Institute to help support the volunteers who put their lives at risk rescuing those at sea.

John Downie is chief petty officer and officer in charge at Ipswich Sea Cadets.

He was furious about the break in, which happened on Friday night.

Mr Downie said: "They broke into my office and smashed the window.

"In all the whole cost was around £500."

The cadets are often a target for vandals. Mr Downie said: "We are always getting boats let off.

"I don't think they realise that they could actually kill someone if the boats got wrapped around the propellers of the bigger boats.

"We thought the problems might stop when they knocked down the building on Eagle Wharf as they would have nowhere to hide but that does not seem to have done anything."

Mr Downie said the theft and constant vandalism was frustrating for the Cadets who put in around 25 hours a week, working on the boats and going on parade.

The cadets are a charitable organisation and the only money they have is what is donated or what they raise through fundraising events.

Anyone with any information should contact Suffolk police on 01473 613500.

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