Thieves target Portland clubs (From Dorset Echo)

Thieves target Portland clubs

12:00pm Saturday 13th March 2010 in

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THIEVES smashed their way into two clubs on Portland before fleeing with cash and charity boxes.

Portland United FC and the Kimberlin Club were both targeted by night-time raiders.

Thieves broke int the bar area of Portland United by smashing through the fire doors.

The intruders destroyed the pool table, caused damage to the bar area, stole over £200 of cash including around £100 of charity money and smashed the frames of club photographs.

Bar manager Matt Whitehead discovered that the club had been burgled when he opened up the clubhouse on Grove Road at 10am on Thursday morning.

Portland United chairman Tony Greaves said that it was ‘very upsetting’ that the club had been targeted.

He said: “They got in through our fire doors and really smashed them in.

“The pool table had been totally wrecked, obviously from where they were trying to get the money out.

“Club money was taken amounting to around £120 and all the charity money was stolen.

“We had two charity boxes that were emptied and a gallon whiskey bottle that was three quarters of the way full of cash.

“Bottles of drink were taken and they kicked in the door to the bar area smashing picture frames in the process.

“Matt, our bar manager, went into work at 10am and as he walked through he could see the pool table was totally wrecked.

“He called the police straight away and then called me and our club secretary Robin.

“We are really annoyed that this has happened, especially as we are a local football club.

“We’d like to think we are part of the community so it is upsetting that someone could to that to us.

“They didn’t just steal from the club but they also stole charity money.

“All the people that donated were donating money for those charities, but now it’s not going to go where they thought it was.

“If anybody knows anything about this please let us or the police know straight away.”

A spokesman from Dorset Police said: “We had a report of an overnight burglary at the clubhouse for Portland United FC.

“Entry was forced through a side door, several charity boxes were stolen, a quantity of alcohol and damage was caused to a pool table.

“We’d appeal to anyone who witnessed this incident and anyone with any information about those responsible to call 01305 222222.”

Second raid at Kimberlin Club

The Kimberlin Club has been targeted by burglars – for the second time in months.

Thieves smashed their way into the building in Blacknor Road through a side fire door in the early hours of Wednesday.

They stole change from fruit machines before being spotted fleeing on a motorbike towards Weston.

The club was raided last summer when burglars escaped with hundreds of pounds.

Manager Karen Dolbear said: “We’re getting really fed up with this happening now.

“It’s come at a time when we’re already struggling with the way things are financially. This adds to our problems.”

The culprits struck early on Wednesday after breaking a window in a fire door at the club.

They emptied out the venue’s fruit machines – which contained just £20 in cash – before fleeing.

Neighbours say they saw two young men escaping on a trial-sized motorbike towards Weston.

Mrs Dolbear, 47, who lives nearby, was alerted after the club’s alarms started sounding, and rushed to the scene.

She said: “They only got slim pickings I’m pleased to say – there wasn’t a lot in the fruit machines at all.”

Dorset Police are appealing for anyone who saw the burglary, or the two men leaving the area, to contact them on 01305 222222.