Hovercraft Museum in Lee-on-the-Solent is broken into by 'urban explorers'
TWO men have been caught red-handed breaking into a museum on the seafront.
CCTV pictures show the pair breaking into the Hovercraft Museum in Marine Parade West, Lee-on-the-Solent, on Sunday afternoon.
It is believed they used a parked lorry to get into part of the museum that is off-limits to members of the public.
Although nothing was damaged or stolen, it has come as a great frustration to trustees of the museum.
Ben Avery from the museum said: ‘In the comments on our Facebook page, people seem to think these guys are urban explorers of some sort.
‘Apparently it was also a protest about the slipway being closed – but that is nothing to do with us anyway.
‘We’ve had urban explorers in the past, but we’ve also had genuine break-ins, so you can't be too careful.’
In October last year, thieves broke into the museum and caused around £1,000 of damage.
Since then, the museum has upgraded its security system.
Mr Avery says that if the explorers wanted to visit the museum, they could have just used the front door.
He said: ‘We’re open on Saturdays from 10am to 4pm, and entry only costs £8.
‘We would have preferred for them to visit while we’re open, instead of trespassing in a closed-off area that presents a health risk to members of the public.’
MRB Transport, which has its office behind the museum, has already moved its lorries as a precaution.
The lorry company also contacted the police about what happened.
A spokeswoman for Hampshire Constabulary said: ‘We were called at 4.08pm yesterday to reports of a trespass incident at the Hovercraft Museum on Marine Parade West, Lee-on-the-Solent.
‘Two men climbed over a fence in order to gain entry to the hovercraft yard, no damage was caused and nothing was stolen.’
On Sunday, September 13, the Hovercraft Museum will also be open to visitors as part of Gosport’s Heritage Open Days, giving people a chance to look at the 50+ hovercraft in the museum, as well as taking a trip out on the water thanks to a partnership with Hovertravel.