Appeal after youths seen entering library before flood
TWO youths are being sought in connection to the devastating flood which has closed Portsmouth Central Library.
Thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused to the library after intruders blocked sinks in toilets on the third floor and left the taps running all Wednesday night, as reported yesterday.
Horrified staff discovered damage to all three floors of the library when they arrived at work on Thursday morning,
Police want to speak to two teenage boys seen near the library prior to the break in.
A spokesman said: 'It was reported to us two youths had entered the library when it was closing and gone through a door for staff only.'
It happened while security staff were patrolling a different area of the building around 7pm. Sinks in the gentlemen's toilet of third floor arts centre were blocked up and the water running all night.
The flooding caused damage to flooring, ceilings and the entire building's electrical system. The police spokesman said: 'This is currently being treated as criminal damage.'
No books were damaged at the library, which has unique collections of Charles Dickens and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Cllr Lee Hunt, Portsmouth City Council's culture chief, said: 'They may not have realised the magnitude of what they were doing, but this was essentially an attack on Britain's literary history.
'I'm very thankful to the quick actions of staff who moved swiftly to secure the collections.'
Police officers have been unable to review CCTV footage from inside the library because of the damage to the building's electrics.
Officers are appealing for information. Call 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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Weather for Portsmouth
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: East
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Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
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