Cricket club 'disheartened' by attempted break-ins

Windows and doors have been damaged at Castor and Ailsworth Cricket Club

An amateur cricket club said it had been left "disheartened" after "several" attempted break-ins this year.

Castor and Ailsworth Cricket Club, on the outskirts of Peterborough, was most recently targeted between Saturday and Sunday, with two windows smashed and the doors of a shed, garage and the pavilion damaged.

Club secretary Joshua Weaver called the repeated incidents "frustrating" and said they placed "a significant strain on the finances of the club".

The club said it was looking to invest in further security measures to keep the venue safe.

In March, the club was targeted and a door was ripped off the hinges, but nothing was stolen

On 11 March the club was broken into and Mr Weaver said all grounds equipment was removed and left near the entrance, "with the assumption that those who broke in were going to return to collect the machinery".

A week later, the club was targeted again and a window was damaged, while a door was ripped off the hinges, but nothing was stolen.

Police were called and an investigation was carried out by a forensics team, the club said.

Mr Weaver said if the machinery had been stolen "it would have taken months to replace it, which would have jeopardised the cricket season".

The club is currently building a new pavilion, with work expected to finish before the end of this year.

Work is ongoing to build a new pavilion at the club, which is expected to be ready by the end of the year

"We are only a small club. Volunteers give up hundreds of hours in the week to make cricket a reality for young people here," said Mr Weaver.

"So, the loss would have crippled the financial stability of the club and any progress made with the new pavilion.

"But we're very well supported by our local community. We ask residents to be vigilant and to come forth with any information."