Arlesey Town FC calls on fans to come and support club after break-in

Arlesey Town FC break-in (Image: Archant)

Police are appealing for information and witnesses after Arlesey Town Football Club was burgled at about 1.30am on Monday morning.

Costs are still being counted by the Southern League Division One Central club, but with the safe stolen, gaming machines broken into and windows and doors kicked in, it is bound to be considerable.

The break-in comes just over a week after thieves broke into Letchworth Rugby Club and made off with charity boxes and bottles of champagne.

Despite the damage – which has left the Arlesey club cleaning up the mess and dealing with insurance assessors – the hard work of the staff meant that the Hitchin Road club still opened up for business on Monday evening.

Arlesey Town FC break-in (Image: Archant)

Club secretary Chris Sterry said: “It was a ‘proper job’.

“They failed to get a vehicle on site as our gates prevented that but they seem to have entered via the footpaths.

“They came equipped with a sack barrow to take the safe away so I think this was a planned attack.

“I also think it was several people, not just one.

Arlesey Town FC break-in (Image: Archant)

“It looks like a planned attack by a gang targeting sports clubs which are vulnerable due to their inherent remote locality. I believe the police were on site for about four hours gathering evidence so let’s hope the thieves were careless.

“Our main appeal is for the local supporters to come to the games we have coming up as we need, in the short term, to keep our cash flow up as of course the weekend’s takings were in the safe overnight.”

The club’s next home game is against Kings Langley on Saturday.

Anyone with information about the break-in should call the police on the non-emergency number 101 or the club on 01462 734504.

Arlesey Town FC break-in (Image: Archant)