Hundreds of books stolen from community bus stop library in Northamptonshire village

A community library that had been set up in a mainly disused bus stop has been ‘completely cleared out’ by thieves.

The library in Main Road, Hackleton was home to more than 300 books, CDs and DVDs that local people were encouraged to borrow.However, overnight on Friday (June 26) six full boxes of books and more from shelves that had been put up in the bus shop were stolen, including a whole selection of cook books that had recently been donated and quality hardback children’s books.

Debbie de Boer, mum of Ben who originally came up with the library idea, said: “They picked out what they didn’t want and put them in a cardboard box that wasn’t already there, so they knew what they were going to do.

“They would have had to use a vehicle as well as the boxes were heavy and large.

“I thought that the books would end up back on Facebook marketplace, but then someone pointed out that car boots have started up again and those boxes were perfect for car boots.”

Debbie said that she drove past the bus stop, which is now only used for an 'ability bus' to support older people in the village, at around 10.30pm on Friday and the books were fine.

She then received a text at around 7am on Saturday (June 27) telling her to get to the bus stop quickly, where she discovered the devastation that had been caused.

Debbie added: “A lot of people had been borrowing, reading and then bringing back and it was working really well, so for someone to take the lot is really upsetting.

“Ben is so upset especially after all his hard work.

“You just do not expect people to do something like this, especially with what it’s for.

“We have managed to regroup with help from people in the village and we’ve spoken to the church and they have offered to house some of the books, but it’s just so annoying.”

Northamptonshire Police confirmed that they are investigating.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information should contact police on 101.

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