Former Bingo Hall Hit by Racial Vandalism

A former bingo hall in Wokingham was broken into twice in the space of two days - as police investigate a 'hate crime' against its new owners.

The currently vacant site, once the Ritz Cinema on Easthampstead Road, was bought by Wokingham Islamic Centre after seven years empty.

The first break-in was in the early hours of Tuesday. Racist graffiti was reportedly found inside, equipment and tools were stolen and 'Leave now' was scrawled on the walls.

Vandals struck again overnight on the same day.

Thames Valley Police said the first incident was reported shortly after 9am on Tuesday, October 27, and is being treated as a hate crime.

"Racist graffiti was found at the premises and building equipment and tools were also stolen from the site. We are treating this as a hate crime and our enquiries are ongoing."

The building was quiet and boarded up when the Local Democracy Reporting Service visited on Tuesday evening.

Wokingham Islamic Centre says it plans to bring the long-empty building back into community use as a hub with education, youth activities, family events and limited prayer use.

"There is a considerable amount of misinformation going around."

"We have not submitted any plans to Wokingham Borough Council."

No current planning application from the centre has been identified. The site has a long planning history: previous permission for flats has expired and the former owner, Montreaux Homes, went into liquidation in 2024.

The centre says it intends to retain the building; any development or change of use needing planning permission would follow the usual council process. The former cinema opened in 1937 and later became a bingo hall, with bingo at the site until 2019.

Police have asked anyone with information, dashcam footage or other evidence to contact Thames Valley Police quoting reference 43260561729.

Katie French, Local Democracy Reporter