BURGLARS stealing food and drink from sports clubs across the county have been branded “pathetic.”

Alcohol, snacks and cash have all been taken in a spate of break-ins at sports clubs across Vale of White Horse.

The burglaries, four in the space of a week, are believed to be linked.

Thieves broke into Letcombe Football Club some time between Tuesday, January 27 and Friday, January 30.

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Secretary of the Letcombe Football Club, which had a £130,000 refurbishment of its club house last year, Des Williams said: “We put in security shutters and locks and double glazed windows. It was as secure as you can make it.”

Mr Williams, 69, a retired teacher, said: “I came into the club last week and there was just glass everywhere.

“They had smashed both glass panes of the double glazing to get in.

“We don’t keep any money or valuables in the club house. They took some chocolate bars and some crisps, and a case of beer.”

He said the cost of replacing windows would be about £150 and the value of stolen stock was just over £50.

He added: “It’s pathetic, just very, very annoying. We’re a village club doing our best for the community.”

Burglars stole cash from Ardington and Lockinge Football Club in Well Street, Ardington, between Monday, January 26 and Friday, January 30.

Police believe the thieves got in by forcing open a back door.

Alcohol was taken from the stock room of the Uffington Sports Club in Fawler Road between Wednesday, January 28 and Friday, January 30, after a door was forced open.

From 2pm on Sunday and 10am on Monday, cash from a till and a charity box were taken from Kingston Bagpuize and Southmoor Bowls Club in Oxford Road.

Thames Valley Police spokeswoman Charlotte Redman said the four burglaries were being linked.

She said: “Thankfully, it is not that usual for sports clubs to be burgled in this way.

“We are still appealing for witnesses and officers are initially investigating the local area, and will take it from there.”

She said the first line of defence against intruders was to secure the exterior of any property.

She added: “This might be the fence or wall and gates, or simply the facade of your building.”

Anyone with information about the burglaries is asked to call 101.


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