Police study CCTV footage as Redditch United counts the cost of break-in (From Redditch Advertiser)

Police study CCTV footage as Redditch United counts the cost of break-in

12:59pm Tuesday 29th January 2013 in Local

REDDITCH United are counting the cost after vandals broke into the clubhouse and trashed it over the weekend.

The football club believe it will cost between £700 and £1,000 to repair the destruction after the bar area was wrecked by intruders.

A pool table, window and host of furniture was damaged during the incident, while beer taps were left to pour onto the floor.

West Mercia Police believe the incident happened between 5.30pm on Friday night and 4.30am on Saturday morning.

This is the third time the club has been broken into in a matter of months, despite efforts to increase security at the ground.

Chairman Chris Swan said: "This is the third time in two months we've been broken into and it just gets you down.

"Whoever has broken in has smashed the place up and for what? They might have got £10 out of the pool table.

"We've done everything we can to try and stop this but it keeps happening.

"They make a few quid but it costs us betweeen £700 and £1,000 to clear up."

Despite trouble the break-in has caused the club, Mr Swan believes the club can play a postive role in reforming offenders.

He added: "If I could meet these people face-to-face I would tell them if they want to come to Redditch United, come when its open and see how the power of sport changes lives for good.

"At the moment, they are in a dark place and going in the wrong direction."

Investigating officer, PC Heather Wilkes said: "There has been substantial damage caused to the bar area including destruction of a pool table, beer taps left open to pour all over the floor and a lot of bottles have been smashed near to the pitch.

"According to the club's vice chairman the pitch will need to be carefully cleaned. If any glass is found on the pitch at a later date by a referee during a game they could end up being fined.

"We will be viewing CCTV in the hope that we might be able to get a description of the offenders but we are also eager to hear from anyone who was in the area on Friday evening or early on Saturday morning and saw any suspicious activity."

Witnesses or anyone with information should contact PC Wilkes on 101, quoting incident 69-N-260113, or ring the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.