Club counts cost of third burglary in five weeks
TIVERTON Town bosses say the third burglary at their Ladysmead ground in only five weeks is straining volunteers who give up their time to support the running of the football club.
Glass was smashed and bottles from the bar were taken following the latest raid on the Yellows which happened overnight on Thursday, January 31.
The club had only just repaired damage following a break-in a fortnight ago when the club was also targeted by an offender which CCTV images showed was wearing white trainers.
Club chairman Matthew Conridge said it had been an "incredibly frustrating" time for everyone associated with the club.
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He said: "This is the third time in three weeks there has been a break-in at the club. We were only able to play one home game in January because of the weather, and not only have we lost key games over the Christmas period which tend to be our busiest in terms of gate receipts, we also have to keep finding the money to repair this damage."
The break-ins have so far cost the club more than £1,000 in loss of income, stock and window repairs.
Mr Conridge added: "I think maybe this person does not understand what effect their actions are having on a community club. The money we are spending to repair this damage can not be reinvested in youth football for example. Whoever it is needs to smarten up and show a bit more consideration for their local club."
Police visited the ground on Friday to carry out forensic tests at the scene.
Police believe the offender gained entry between 11pm on Thursday, January 31, and 8am on Friday, February 2, and used a large slab to smash the window and gain entry to the clubhouse. Once inside the bar area, a number of bottles of alcohol were taken before the offenders fled the scene.
Sgt Jane Alford-Mole, neighbourhood team leader for Tiverton, said the latest incident could be linked to the previous break-ins at the club.
She said: "We are looking into all avenues, but have not ruled out the possibility that the two incidents are linked.
"If anyone has seen anyone leaving the location of the ground carrying any bottles of alcohol should call DC Sean Cashin on 101 quoting crime ref KT/13/169."
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