A cricket club at the centre of a “Save Our Ground” campaign has again been hit by burglars.
Two 40in. plasma televisions, a new projector, a one-and-a-half litre bottle of Bell’s Whiskey, and cash was stolen from Colne Cricket Club overnight between Thursday and Friday after offenders smashed their way through a window of the Byron Road building. Damage caused and loss of items is estimated to have set the club back £1,500.
The site was also targeted late last year - with a number of break-ins, spiralling costs and falling numbers of spectators forcing the club’s committee to launch an appeal in March.
Members pulled together in a bid to raise £100,000 and to prevent Lancashire League’s oldest club from shutting its doors.
A number of fund-raising events were organised, and the committee paid to have Sky Sports installed on the televisions as another way of generating income. Now following the latest burglary, the club are left paying for a monthly Sky contract that does not run out until next August.
Club chairman Jane Williamson said: “We are so upset. They have taken two flat screen TVs, one which was one-month-old, and a new projector. We had just paid to have all the music and TV system re-wired at a cost of £1500.
“They have ripped the lotto machine off the wall and stolen cash from it.
“We had the windows replaced a few months ago after working hard to get a grant and one has been smashed to smithereens.
“We cannot afford to replace the TVs, projector or claim on the insurance as we already claimed several times last year after a few break-ins and the premium will be to high for us to afford.”
Police said the burglary could have taken place between 8pm on Thursday and 8am on Friday.
A spokesman said: “If anyone has noticed any suspicious activity, or seen anybody offering cheap plasma televisions then get in touch. Call 101, quoting log number 229 of October 31st.”