Fears after tennis centre break-in

Monday, 14 May 2012

A BREAK-IN at the South Devon Tennis Centre, Ivybridge, left structural damage.
The burglary, which is believed to have been undertaken by one man, has been very upsetting for the centre’s committee and staff.
The break-in took place between 10.30pm on Thursday, May 3, and 8am on Friday, May 4.
The thief broke in through the back door, by the outside courts, before heading upstairs to the centre’s offices.
An office door was badly damaged and cash was taken.
South Devon Tennis Centre president Steve Hitch, said: ‘Of my 20 plus years at the centre, this is by far the most professional job I have seen.
‘The alarm was de-activated sometime on the Thursday before the break-in.
‘The thief broke into my office smashing the door and also broke into other offices upstairs.
‘We have CCTV footage of him, wearing a head torch. He took lots of keys, a bit of money and then sprayed or washed anything that he appeared to touch.
‘All the keys and cheques he touched were washed in the sink, I presume to get rid of fingerprints.
‘It is very upsetting to all the staff and committee and there is a fear that not all the keys have been returned, therefore he could strike again.’
Police have been making enquiries and have taken interviews from staff and committee members. A spokes-man said: ‘The perpetrator broke in through a fire door and stole around £200. There has been no arrest, but investigations are ongoing.
‘If anyone has any information on the break-in, they are urged to contact police by calling 101 quoting reference number JK-12-362.’

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