Wandsworth music charity which helps disadvantated kids had equipment stolen by “professional” burglar

A charity which teaches young people to play music instruments has been raided by a professional burglar, who broke in at 2am and stole thousands of pounds of instruments and recording equipment and cycled off on a Santander bike.

The first-floor home of the World Heart Beat Music Academy in Kimber Road, Wandsworth, was plundered in the early hours of March 22, with CCTV footage showing only partial pictures of what the culprit looked like.

Among the haul was prized musical instruments, including two vintage saxophones and video production equipment. An electric guitar was also damaged and left with the strings slashed.

The stolen video and sound equipment was recently bought to help music learning continue online during the COVID-19 pandemic

The thief, seen on footage wearing a high-visibility jacket broke into cupboards and grabbed items, before cycling off with four bags of equipment.

He was seen on a Santander bicycle at the Merton Road / Kimber Rd crossroads at approx. 2.32am.

Many of its 350 students a week come from disadvantaged backgrounds – more than half are on full or partial bursary support.

British saxophonist and jazz maestro Tony Kofi, who has taught at the academy for seven years, had his highly prized vintage King Zephyr saxophone stolen.

Tony’s Facebook posts have been shared by over 1.2k friends and supporters to help see the return of his much-loved instrument.

The founder and artistic director of the project, Sahana Gero, has pleaded with owners of cameras in the area to come forward in case they have footage of him passing on his way to burgle the premises.

The charity, which gives lessons to 350 students a week, has set up a fundraiser to cover the cost of its losses.

Ms Gero said: “We believe he was a professional. He climbed up a pipe and seemed to know what was there. It seems to be what he does. The police need a clearer picture of him. It is very frustrating.

“When I arrived on the Monday morning it was like it had been ransacked. There was stuff all over the floor.

All the important equipment had gone. It was all set up like a film studio for live concerts – we ended up using my mobile phone to film it – so the quality was a bit different to what we had hoped.

“You just feel empty in your stomach. Something so beautiful, which so many had done so much to create, was destroyed.

If it had not been for lockdown, we would not have had of that kind of equipment, just instruments. So he has taken advantage of the pandemic.

“Musicians and children have suffered during lockdown, so that just makes it worse.

“We are devastated.

This equipment has been instrumental in taking our music learning online and keeping our young people engaged with the production of our virtual concerts and performances during COVID times.

“As musicians, we live and breathe music, and the happiness and positivity it brings to our communities and young people is irreplaceable. Please, whoever stole these items can you reconsider your actions so we can continue to help and support our young people find joy in doing what they love best.” 

The academy is likely to have to replace the equipment for a string of high-profile events planned for the end of lockdown – a live stream for International Jazz Day on April 30, making four videos in Nine Elms, live streams in care homes and an event for the London Festival of Architecture in July.

 

A police spokesman confirmed: “At around 2am on Monday, 22 March police received a report of a suspected burglary at a commercial premises at Kimber Road, Wandsworth.

“At this stage police believe that one suspect entered the premises and conducted an untidy search before leaving the venue on a bicycle in the direction of Merton Road.

The suspect stole two musical instruments [saxophones], IT and photographic equipment.”

Detectives from South West Area Command investigate. There have been no arrests.  

Anyone who has information concerning this burglary or the re-sale of the stolen property should call police on 101 or Tweet @MetCC quoting CR0305799/21.

If you would like to donate to World Heart Beat’s Global Giving page to help support young people, many of whom live in challenging conditions, please donate here