CALLOUS thieves have targeted a Baillieston community food project for a second time in two weeks.

Volunteers at the project, based in the Glasgow East Rugby Club, turned up on Sunday to find the lock to their building had been broken off.

This allowed thieves to gain entry to the premises. According to founder Jamie Seery, there were no visible signs of damage and nothing had been taken.

Jamie said: “We don’t keep any money on the premises anymore so when they couldn’t find any they just left again. We keep a lot of food and valuables like tools on the premises and nothing else was touched.”

The attempted break-in follows another just two weeks previously.

Thieves first broke into the premises of the Community of Helping Hands on September 19, making off with two donation tins containing around £60. The thieves had cut the padlock and bolt that secured the premises.

The project reported that there was no visible damage in the vicinity and nothing else was taken.

Jamie believes that the thieves were purely motivated by money. He said: “I think they were basically here for the money and they got it. After that, we no longer keep any money on the premises.”

The theft has had an impact on the level of service Community for Helping Hands can provide. The project has had to spend their limited funds on repairing the locks on the doors.

Jamie said: “This is money we would have used for buying supplies. If we were to run out of milk, bread or eggs then that money was there for volunteers to go to the shop to buy more.”

City foodbank broke into for second time Jamie has reached out to thieves, urging them to seek support from the project, rather than stealing from them.

He said: “Obviously they now know there is nothing here. If they needed support with food then that’s the reason we’re here. They’ll have their reasons for doing what they did, but by doing that, it’s had an impact on the people we support.” J

amie set up the project alongside Lee-Anne Erskine and Robert Thomson in May this year to support those in need during the lockdown period. They provided over 6000 food parcels during the crisis.

The project has now scaled back and is operating a community food store in Baillieston.

Jamie said: “The concept behind that is that anybody can come in. There’s a recommended £3 donation but if they can’t afford that, that’s fine. It’s basically giving access to food in a dignified way.”

Police Scotland have been approached for comment.