Help - i hired Church Hall for a party and now Church have rung me

[julia5]

because two games consoles have gone missing. The Youth worker rang me tonight and told me that these two consoles have been stolen and I am the only person to have used the Hall between last thursday and when they discovered the theft presumably today. I hired the Hall on Saturday, we picked up the key at 1pm and returned it at 5.30 pm. I said I knew nothing about the matter and agreed that he should ring the Police immediateley. I asked where the games were stored and he told me they were in a cupboard under the stairs. I am horrified that this has happened and am upset that the finger is pointing at me. I am looking for guidance as to what will happen next ie will the police come banging on my door. Please could someone help me? I am new to MN and this is not how I imagined my first post

Can you remember naything about the cupboards - where they open or locked? did anyone go near them?

surely it is their responsibility to have valuables locked away??

hi Hula spoke to my mum tonight she remembers the cupboards being locked as she was hunting for the hoover to tidy up after. I was busy with 22 4 and 5 year olds. I had 3 adults helping in the kitchen adjacent, they were watching the door for escapees, never saw anyone. Sigh.

If you hired the hall on Saturday, it is their responsiblity to check that everything is in order after you left then. They cannot possibly lay the blame on you almost a week later. I would imagine the police might call you, but there's precious little they can do.

btw, did you pay a refundable deposit and have you had it back?

I guess all you can say is that as far as you know the cupboards remained locked whilst you were there. Would you have had the key to it anyway or was the lock forced ? Presumably they are insured.

I know gemmiegoat, I'm really cross now. The Youth worker never actually accused me outright of stealing the consoles, but I felt as if he was totally pointing the finger. It was a fabulous party too.

Gosh loads of replies thank you all.
No deposit I gave them 25 quid as a donation, they're not allowed to formally charge for hire. I used two keys that were to unlock the buliding, no idea if the cupboard key was on the keyring. How rubbish is my memory. I didnt think to ask was the lock forced, or if there is any sign of forced entry or anything. I just burst into tears after I put the phone down.

Agree with LizS - all you can do is tell the police exactly what you've told us ! ie. you saw nothing, the cupboards were locked, you locked the hall and returned the key.

you have done nothing wrong !

I would contact the police to make a statement !

Who's to say that the consoles were even there while your party was on ? You didn't hire the consoles and the cupbaord - you hired the hall and looked after it as best you could.

Try not to worry - it will be clear to the police that this is nothing to do with you. Perhaps the youth worker was just clumsy in his approach - maybe he just wanted to ask if you had seen anything !

Thank you scatterbrain. Good advice from you all. I shall ring the Police in the morning, and let you all know how I get on. Many thanks x

Any news julia? I'd be interested to know what the police had to say and if the Youth Worker has apologised yet.

well well well I rang the Police this afternoon, they referred me back to the YW. I therefore rang him and enquired about the matter. He told me that the Police were with him even as we spoke and had pointed out a broken window that had not previously been found. He was quite shamefaced, and couldn't apologise enough. I am still cross but as scatterbrain pointed out, the YW was quite clumsy in his approach and a tiny part of me feels a bit sorry for the poor man (he's a bit lame iykwim bless) . Thank you all so much for helping me

Good - glad to hear it's all sorted for you !! This kind of thing really annoys me - some crass idiot with the social skills of an earthworm has caused you, an innocent person, tonnes of worry ! At least he apologised !!

The worst thing was that we live in a small village where everyone knows your business ( I usually like this because I live a blameless life ) and I am a registered childminder with a vested interest in remaining so ! Grrr x

Jolly good. Lessons learnt all round! You will remember to check cupboards etc before & after you use the hall again and YW will remember to engage brain before opening mouth!