Professional thieves are thought to be behind two break-ins at a tennis club and cricket club in which thousands of pounds worth of equipment was stolen.
Billericay Tennis Club and Billericay Cricket Club, which are both based in Blunts Wall Road, were targeted by thieves overnight last Friday.
The vandals drilled through padlocks on containers to steal lawnmowers, fertiliser spreaders and drinks dispensers. Police believe the same people are responsible and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
Dave Randall, committee member at Billericay Cricket Club, said: “We left here at midnight on Friday and and then came back at 7am the next day to find that we had been broken into.
“They had cut through the lock on the gate that leads to the driveway and closed it back up again so nothing looked out of place.
“It looked like they had targeted a particular container and they stole a lawnmower worth £1,000.
“They drilled through a fairly hefty lock.
“It looks like they knew what they were doing, it was planned.
“I’d like to ask people if they see a high-quality lawnmower at a boot sale to let us know.”
The club is claiming on the insurance for new equipment and have increased security measures, including installing CCTV cameras.
Kirk Butler, head coach at the tennis club, added: “They broke into the container, cracked the lock and stole the electric lawnmower, which the groundsman uses.
“It’s a high-quality lawnmower and is worth up to £7,000.
“They also stole some industrial brushes that we use to clean the courts with.
“It seems as if they did the same thing at the cricket club.”
To read the original article from Echo News, click here
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