Fundraiser for cricket club after thieves strike

The theft happened on Sunday, the club said

A fundraising campaign has been started after a cricket club was broken into by thieves who stole equipment, including a huge pitch roller.

Offenders broke through the gates of Himley Cricket Club near Dudley on Sunday and ripped open shutter doors to steal various items.

Chairman Matt Jeavons said it was a "real kick in the teeth" as equipment up to £10,000 had been stolen.

Staffordshire Police said it had been alerted to the break-in in the club's outbuilding and appealed for any information.

Mr Jeavons said the thieves must have come "tooled up", with a vehicle to enable them to take the heavy-duty roller.

"They've caused damage - the gates were open, the lock hacked off - and taken up to £10,000 of equipment," he said.

Tyres and sheeting can be seen strewn about outside the oputbuilding

"Some of that will be covered by insurance but we need to raise money to improve security there - it's an all too common occurrence."

But he said he had been "overwhelmed" by the response from the local community since the theft.

The club, which is used by about 150 juniors, 50 senior plays and more than 25 women and girls, relies heavily on volunteers, he added.

"We've had offers from local tradesmen and businesses to help out repairing the damage or donations of equipment, it's been great," he said.

"It's a local community club and a successful club that's grown and we rely on volunteers who put in the hours so when this kind of thing happens, it's a real kick in the teeth."

Although the cricket season had finished, he said the club still needed equipment to prepare for the following year.

"It's a hassle we don't need... through winter local clubs are maybe more vulnerable to thefts, but it's evidence of what the club means to the local community in the support they've show and with the fundraising."

The club, on Stourbridge Road, hopes to raise £1,500 to pay for improved security at their site.