Bowls club devastated by theft (From The Northern Echo)

Bowls club devastated by theft

10:50am Tuesday 16th March 2010 in

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A BOWLING club has been left devastated, after thieves stole equipment worth £8,000.

Crooks targeted the King George V Bowling Club, in Framwellgate Moor, Durham, between 3.30pm on Friday, March 5, and 8am on Monday, March 8.

They cut through metal hinges and stole machinery used to tend greens.

Among the equipment taken were two strimmers, two grass cutters, cutter blades, a white line marker, two large petrol can containers and a bowling green grass cutter.

Club chairman Len Ferguson, 79, said: "We have no equipment and are in limbo at the moment. This was a planned job. They came with the right equipment and knew what they were after."

The club was set up about 55 years ago. Mr Ferguson has been chairman for nine years. Last year, the club was awarded Lottery funding totalling £8,000.

It currently has 40 members. The new season begins in April.

Mr Ferguson said: "We cannot say for definite we will be ready for when the league starts,but I remain hopeful we will be."

Durham Police is investigating the burglary and are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.

PC Victoria Clark said: "They approached the large metal container forcing entry by cutting through the metal hinges.

"The suspects would have needed a large vehicle to remove all the property."

Anyone with information is asked to call Durham Police on 0345-60-60-365 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.