Eli Toschi (3), dressed as a police officer, listens during story time at Roslyn/Maori Hill Playcentre yesterday after a visit from police investigating a theft from the playcentre. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY

Thieves have stolen irreplaceable memories during a raid on a Dunedin playcentre.

A laptop, camera, iPod, cash box containing about $100, cheque book and USB stick were stolen from the Roslyn/Maori Hill Playcentre on Tuesday night, parent Sam Cairns said.

‘‘It's gutting,'' she said.

The playcentre was parent-led and it was unclear whether it would be worth claiming insurance on the stolen goods because of their age and diminished value.

However, even if the items were replaced, the photo data on the camera, laptop and USB stick could not be.

‘‘That's the one that hurts the most,'' she said. ‘‘They are irreplaceable.

‘‘Our laptop had all our photos for the last 15 years.

‘‘The memory stick with the camera has all our recent ones and nothing is backed up.''

Another parent, Erin Schaaf, was left gobsmacked.

‘‘Who does that? Who steals from kids?'' she said.

‘‘I don't understand what sort of person would steal from kids.

‘‘We are already strapped for cash.

‘‘To these people, they are probably only going to get $10 or $15 per item because they are old, but for us to replace them we are going to have to fundraise, or people are going to have to bring them in.''

Police were at the scene yesterday and had found fingerprints which they said could provide a lead.

Senior Sergeant Liz Waru said inquiries were ongoing.

Kaikorai Primary School, next door to the playcentre, was also broken into but it did not appear anything was taken, she said.

An alarm at the school was activated between 3.30am and 4.10am yesterday and appeared to have startled the burglar.

It seemed likely the burglaries were linked.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious in the Tyne St area or heard anything early yesterday should contact Dunedin police on 471-4800.

Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.

timothy.brown@odt.co.nz