Arrest Made After £200,000 Stolen from Scouts' Canada Trip Fund

A 46-year-old man has been arrested and subsequently released under investigation following the theft of an estimated £200,000 from a charity account intended for a Scouts' expedition to Canada. The substantial sum, raised through extensive fundraising efforts by parents and Scouts since early last year, was to fund a two-week summer trip for 100 children and 27 adult volunteers from Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

The trip, costing £2,750 per child and scheduled for July or August, was cancelled after Scout leaders discovered the money was missing. Parents were informed via a letter that the funds were believed to have been taken "over an extended period of time" from an account specifically set up for such expeditions.

Police Investigation Underway

West Mercia Police confirmed the arrest, stating, "On Friday 9 January we received a report of theft from the Hereford and Worcester Scouts. A 46-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of theft and has since been released under investigation. An investigation is ongoing."

Hereford and Worcester Scouts stated they are "co-operating fully with the ongoing police investigation" and have also submitted reports to the Charity Commission. They have committed to "covering any missing charitable funds so that young people and their families are not disadvantaged," promising refunds to parents, though this could take several weeks.

The news has caused considerable disappointment among the young participants, with one parent expressing their son's "absolute devastation" and another highlighting the "disappointing and frustrating" nature of the incident after dedicating significant time to fundraising.