More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Thieves stole over £6,000 worth of one-of-a-kind music equipment as they broke into a van next to a cathedral.
The band suspects they were being watched before the kit was stolen.
On Wednesday night, band Petty Thieves parked their van, filled with sound and lighting equipment, on Rochester Cathedral precinct.
Though it was locked, between midnight and 7.30am on Thursday a full drum kit including the stand and drum shells were stolen.
Missing items include:
The seven piece reggae and ska band, who formed three years ago, were due to play shows across local Medway pubs including The Riverside Tavern in Strood on Saturday, June 22.
Police are investigating the theft.
However, with no sightings of the kit in almost a week, drummer Nathan Coombs, known as Nato, has been forced to fork-out for a new set.
Their manager believes they've lost between £6,000- £7,000.
Lead singer Sam Macklin said: "The truck had been locked and parked in such a way, that it would have been extremely difficult to get it open.
"Let alone break into it and take out a full drum kit.
"Therefore, we presume this was in some way planned, or we were being watched as it was a lot to move. Nato's kit was completely individual as he made some of it himself.
"There are things that aren't available to buy anymore or are quite rare.
"We are a hard-working band that has put a lot of time and money into doing what we love.
"Equipment isn't cheap at all and it's a shame that people think it's okay to steal something when they don't understand the difficulty it can put people in.
"Sadly this is a regular thing that happens to many bands, I just hope they get what they deserve."
The specialised drums have appeared on stage with the band for the last 3 years, including at the UK's largest reggae festival - One Love Festival.
Over the coming months The Petty Thieves are playing gigs at The Riverside Tavern in Strood June, 22, The Rotary Club of Medway's Annual Charity Beer and Cider Festival on July, 6, Faversham Beer Festival on July, 28 and The Ship in Gillingham on August, 3.
They will be supporting Terry Hall, lead singer from The Specials at a Grade 1 list church in Ashford on July 18.
The group are also putting on a 12-hour music-athon with lots of local acts, at Poco Loco in Chatham to raise awareness about male suicide and money for the charity CALM on Saturday, October 19.
Police inquiries into the incident are ongoing.
Anyone with information can call 01634 792209 quoting reference 06-0258.
For the latest crime stories, click here.
Read more: All the latest news from Medway
