Lancaster sci-fi and superhero family fun day rocked by £1,000 equipment theft

Thursday, 13 April 2023 11:15

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

The Penguin Events Family Fun Days are being held at Lancaster Brewery

Around £1,000 worth of play equipment has been stolen from an Easter holidays family fun day in Lancaster.

The theft of stock from the Family Fun Day at Lancaster Brewery took place on Wednesday morning (April 12).

Nerf guns, 4000 bullets and inflatables were taken from outside the venue at Lancaster Leisure Park while events staff were inside entertaining children.

The fun day, organised by local company Penguin Events, included appearances by costumed superheroes and characters from the Transformers and Bumblebee movies.

Mark Caudle, from Penguin Events, said: "It's disappointing.

"We're trying to encourage something for families, we've been hit by the weather, and then somebody's nicked a fair chunk of equipment."

Mr Caudle said on Thursday morning that the theft hadn't yet been reported to police as he was hoping the culprits would return the stock.

A post on the Penguin Events Facebook page on Wednesday said:

"Thank you to everyone who came and supported our event today. If the weather wasn’t enough to deal with, we then have this.

"Following today's events, Bumblebee isn't best pleased. Optimus Prime (from Transformers) has proof the Decepticons have been here today.

"Nerf guns, 4000 bullets and inflatables have been nicked.

"We understand you've all had sooo much fun today and wanted to take the party home. But please bring it all back, CCTV is currently being monitored, we don't want to send Optimus round to retrieve the goods back!

"But in all seriousness, over £1000 worth of stock has been stolen. If you could bring it all back by 10am for our event (on Thursday), we won't get the police involved."

Mr Caudle told Beyond Radio they'd had a great response to the post, but the equipment still hadn't been returned.

Penguin Events' second Family Fun Day will go ahead at Lancaster Brewery today (April 13).

There will be a 'rainy day' programme of events due to the wet and windy weather, running from 11am, including appearances from Transformers, dinosaurs, superheroes and Bumblebee.

Admission is on the door at Lancaster Brewery.