Theft charge after machinery stolen from DIY SOS site

A man has been arrested after machinery was stolen from a building site in north Wales, where the DIY SOS team were racing to complete a life-changing renovation for a local family, as part of the BBC One show.

Crew members and volunteers have been battling persistent rain to complete the project, in order to get the family-of-four back into their home, in Llanberis, Gwynedd, for Christmas.

Host Nick Knowles made a public appeal for extra tradespeople last week – to help push the project over the line – before the burglary on Friday night.

Producers said the equipment, including a cement mixer and wheelbarrows, had been fitted with tracking devices and was recovered by police on Sunday.

North Wales Police confirmed a 25-year-old man from Llanberis has been charged with theft, and will appear before magistrates in January.

The force said there would be an increased presence in the area over the coming days to “support” the DIY SOS team.

The BBC One programme brings together local volunteers and a handful of regular contributors to renovate properties for families in need.

The Hughes – Helen, 33, and Llyr, 36 – had been planning a home extension when heavy rainfall in February 2023 flooded exposed foundations, sending water through the stonework and under the floors.

As their home insurance did not cover flood damage, they were forced to use their life savings to continue the work.

At the same time, Helen discovered she was pregnant with their first child, Macsen. Llyr continued the renovation alone, but with no funds left, progress stalled.

Macsen was born five weeks early and spent two months in hospital. After two major heart surgeries, he was diagnosed with Kabuki Syndrome, a rare genetic condition requiring round-the-clock care and specialist equipment at home.

The couple’s house remained cold, damp and unsafe. Following the arrival of their second baby, Ffredi, the DIY SOS team were made aware of their challenging circumstances and stepped in to help.

Speaking on behalf of the DIY SOS team, assistant producer Noah McIntyre said the recent wet weather had added to the challenge, with the fire and rescue service having to pump water from the garden at one point.

But he praised the volunteers who had been working late to ensure the building scheduled stayed on track. The project has seen as many as 85 people on site each day, including around 75 volunteers from the local community.

After the theft, he said the community had been “really disappointed” that the incident might tarnish the village’s reputation, but their response to request for more help had been “amazing”.

“On Saturday, me and my colleague were phoning up companies in and around Llanberis, Bangor and Caernarfon asking for help,” Mr McIntyre said.

“I think we had 12 additional plasters and 10 additional carpenters turn up, just after a quick call.

“It’s amazing to see them ditch their weekend plans to come help a family that they’ve never met before.

“The people of Llanberis have been really accepting and patient with us because we do turn up as a bit of a circus.

“But every single person we’ve bumped into in the street has been really kind to us and happy that we’re here.”

He said the team remains on schedule to complete what will be their final build of the year, with the episode expected to air next spring, as part of series 35.