A Bradford training academy which gives guidance to healthcare professionals was reported to have been burgled yesterday, with its owner citing the "desperation" caused by the COVID-19 lockdown as a contributing factor.

Police were called to Vaad Training Academy, on Westgate in the city centre, where they were met with broken doors and ransacked offices, its owner Addy Mkondwa says.

The academy - which provides training to carers and equips them with the relevant skills - had been closed due to the lockdown.

"When we entered the building, we were greeted by broken doors and it was clear that things had been thrown about, so we called the police", said Mr Mkondwa, who lives in Bierley.

"Thankfully, the only thing the burglar took was some coins from our tea and biscuit tin.

"But I feel down because while I spend sleepless nights working to equip frontline workers, someone is busy breaking into businesses that are the backbone of healthcare staff."

Despite his frustrations, Mr Mkondwa, 39, says he believes the burglary was most likely carried out by someone who was "desperate" and "hungry", and says he is understanding.

"Looking at the evidence, I feel like whoever did this was someone who was maybe homeless, and/or hungry. There are so many people who are sleeping on the streets and don't have food, and things are especially hard now that we're on lockdown. There's a lack of support for those people.

"People in those situations may also have addiction problems and more measures and services need to be put in place to help them.

"Things like addiction can drive people to do the worst things - like burgle our office. People who have addiction problems need to be looked after more, regardless of their issues.

"In our society, we don't always think of the root causes of things like burglary. But we need to start doing so.

"The person just stole some coins from our office - they must have been desperate. 

"Although I'm upset, I'm not as bothered about the damage they caused - my worry is, what are they going to eat during this lockdown crisis?

"Things are very tough. We have to ask what the Government is doing to support the most vulnerable at this time, and what are the Churches, Mosques and local communities doing?

"What about asylum seekers, too, what are they living off and how do they get money for food?

"Even me, I'm self-employed and now I have no source of income. We've had no support from the Government since lockdown began.

"We can't train our carers because of lockdown and social distancing, so to have someone break in now, at a time where the country needs carers the most, is especially sad - but this is what's happening in our soicety right now.

"People are going to get desperate and it's only going to get worse."

West Yorkshire Police confirmed in a statement that, "This was reported to have happened [at some point] between 21 March and yesterday."

Police also confirmed that enquiries are continuing.