A HOTEL manager said it is ‘sad’ that someone would target a community event after the venue had stock stolen from an outside fridge during a festival.

The Angel Hotel was hosting entertainment in a marquee for the Pershore Plum Festival last weekend when someone stole alcohol from a bar cooling area where stock was being stored.

Manager Sam Tarnan said: “It just means that with future events we put on we will have to provide additional security and we will either need to lose money or not make any money at all.

“It is just another obstacle in putting on community events.

"It is quite sad.”

The Pershore Plum Festival is the town’s biggest event of the year, which sees a weekend of activities and entertainment in the town centre, attracting hundreds of tourists.

Mr Tarnan said: “It looks like it was premeditated.

“It is a big fridge in the garden.

“They have unscrewed the door, taken it off and then tried to re-attach it which was dangerous.

“When a staff member went to open it the next day it nearly fell on him.”

Mr Tarnan said the hotel has not dealt with many incidents of crime before.

“We have had damage to a bench in the garden but no serious thefts.

“It’s usually just kids messing around.”

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CCTV images have been posted on social media showing a female who left the gardens shortly after the theft which happened between 2.30 am and 6am on Monday, August 26.

Staff posted on Facebook asking people who recognise her to come forward with information they can take to the police.

The female in the CCTV image has long dark hair and is wearing light tracksuit bottoms, dark shoes and a light hoodie.

Mr Tarnan said the hotel management had already invested in security previously, but the premises will probably be installed with more CCTV and additional lighting following the theft.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact police and quote the crime reference number 395S270819.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers to report information anonymously on 0800 555 111.