Players’ boots and footballs were among items stolen in two burglaries on Accrington Stanley’s ground in the space of as many days.
Police said a total of 19 pairs of football boots and 15 footballs were stolen from the club’s Crown Ground in the last week, along with a wheelbarrow thought to have been used to transport stolen items away from the scene.
The first break-in took place on Sunday, August 17 at around 7pm, where offenders entered the dressing room and stole 14 pairs of football boots and some orange flavour sports drinks. The second theft took place between 12.10am and 12.45am on Tuesday, August 19 where a lock was forced. The offenders entered the club dressing room and stole five pairs of football boots.
A lock was also forced on the kit room, from which 15 footballs were taken and two catering vans were broken into, with drinks and chocolate being stolen. A wheelbarrow was additionally taken which is thought to have been used to transport the stolen items away from the scene.
Accrington Stanley are appealing to the local community for information.
Manager James Beattie said: “We were all shocked to find out this news. A number of my players have had their boots and other equipment taken which have both monetary and sentimental value to them. As if it isn’t hard enough to try to keep this club in the Football League against the odds and with a small budget this is another blow that could have a detrimental effect on both our season and the finances. We’re appealing to anyone who may have any information to contact the club or the police.”
PS Dave Clark, from Lancashire Police, said: “We believe it is no coincidence that the club was broken into twice during a short time and so we are appealing to anyone who may have any information about these incidents to get in contact with us.”
Anyone with information can call police on 101. Please quote reference number LC-20140818-0860 relating to the first burglary on Sunday and reference LC-20140819-0187 regarding the second incident on Tuesday. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.
Five boys aged 14 – three from Accrington, two from Oswaldtwistle – have been arrested on suspicion of burglary and remain in police custody.
