Items stolen from Riverhead Scout Group during storm

Thieves cut into Riverhead Scout Group's boatshed during Friday night's storm to steal kayaks. Photo / Supplied

An Auckland Scout group says "low-lives" stole items, purchased after months of fundraising, from their boatshed during Friday night's storm.

Four kayaks, six paddles and two life jackets are among the items taken from Riverhead Scout Group after thieves entered their storage shed at Murray Jones Reserve in Riverhead, by cutting through the walls in the darkness of a power cut.

The chairperson of Riverhead Scout Group's committee Karen Body said she was lost for words that "low-lives" would steal from children.

"I am really disheartened that there are people who will steal off a group who give all of their time and effort to create great kids."

The kayaks stolen were seem to these ones at the club. Photo / supplied

The scouts fundraised to purchase the stolen items a couple of years ago, worth approximately $3500 said Body.

Local residents alerted the group about the burglary on Saturday morning after discovering the gates, which are locked by the council every night, had been cut open.

The metal cladding and wood framing of one of the shed walls was also cut through, through which the building was entered.

Body said the group spent "thousands" reinforcing the doors of the shed in 2015, after they were vandalised by people trying to enter.

"Then these s***s came through the wall.

"There is great cost involved in reinstating the damage to the shed, to a standard that prevents other people from breaking in."

The group does not have insurance, so replacing the stolen items will take months of fundraising, said Body.

Lost for words this morning :( Sometime during last nights storm some low-lifes broke the bolt on the gates into...

Posted by Riverhead Scout Group on Friday, 26 August 2016

"It means we can't do water activities this summer as a group because we don't have enough kayaks left for everyone to use."

The committee will next meet on September 12, when they will discuss plans to replace the stolen items.

A police spokeswoman said they were investigating.

Items stolen:

• 1 orange kayak marked S1
• 1 orange/yellow/red kayak marked S9
• 1 yellow/orange kayak marked S10
• 1 yellow kayak marked S11
• 6 plastic oars
• 2 red life jackets
• 4-6 kayak seats