Man Arrested Over Library Break-In

By Adam Coe

An unprecedented act of vandalism at the library in the early hours of this morning forced the entire complex to remain closed, with some sections cordoned off until lunchtime. The main J.B. Morell Library opened an hour and a half later than usual, at 9.30, but the University’s archives section, and the Raymond Burton Library and Borthwick Institute remained inaccessible until 2pm.

Vision contacted the North Yorkshire Police this afternoon, who confirmed that a 20-year-old male had been arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage and “remains in police custody as enquiries continue.”

Police were called at 3.05am after a security guard found the man inside the Library surrounded by smashed glass and property. The damage is mainly located around the library’s main entrance and reserved to the first floor. The sliding glass doors at the main entrance have been destroyed and are to be replaced as soon as possible.

A provisional entrance has been opened behind Freshers café, adjacent to the complex.

Elizabeth Harbord, Head of Operations and Services at the Library told Vision, “at this stage I couldn’t estimate the [cost of the] damage.”

“We are confident that a minimal effect has been imposed on library users. This was not an act of theft.”

The library has confirmed that with the exception of much damaged areas, access will be widened to every section by tomorrow. Harbord could not confirm whether the damage had been caused by a student. She did however say that CCTV footage was being reviewed, and had shown that only one person was involved. She went on to communicate that as far as she was aware; this is the first incident of its kind at the Library.

The motives for the incident are as yet unknown.

A University Press Officer confirmed that there had been a break-in in the early hours of the morning and that some damage had been caused. He noted that the matter was “now in the hands of the Police.”

Vision reported earlier this term on the delays in completing work to the library, leaving many students inconvenienced at a time of year when dissertation research is paramount.