Thieves may not relish the prospects of breaching the ramparts of such bastions as Stamford Bridge, The Emirates Stadium or Old Trafford but, presented with an open ground and a solitary shed standing forlornly in a corner, they probably fancy their chances a little more
In this first part of our two- part special on security and theft, we look at how machinery can be protected. In part two we study what grounds and clubs can do to secure sheds, lock-ups and other storage areas. Frank Fielding reports
“WATCH out, there’s a thief about” is a warning that’s been issued nationally for decades. These days, it may be more a case of “there’s organised crime about” as container-loads of valuable equipment and machinery are lifted from sites across the UK. Last year seemed to mark a new high in reports of theft from sports clubs. Although figures on the value of stolen items are extremely difficult to establish, estimates mostly run into millions, if not tens of millions of pounds annually, so the problem is one of increasing concern, especially to hard-pressed smaller clubs already walking a knife-edge of financial viability.
Golf appears to be hard hit, if recent spates of theft are any yardstick. Thieves targeted more than forty clubs in Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cheshire, Cumbria and Northumberland late last year, targeting golf equipment stored in locker rooms, but valuable turf machinery and vehicles are also likely to be seen as fair game. Clearly, the message for managers and staff alike is to be aware of security across
the entire site and to be alert to anything suspicious, but that’s easier said than done.
‘Intelligence’ is a key element of security, notes by Martyn Senior, secretary of Hesketh Golf Club, in Southport: “The difficulty for all of us is that communication between clubs is often very poor or even nonexistent. We suffer a theft and report it to the police, submit the insurance claim if appropriate and move on. Communication within the police force is arguably little better.”
Senior though has acted in a bid to
improve links. “For some years now, I have had a group email set up which, at the click of a button, sends to all the local clubs in my area, plus the local police in Merseyside and Lancashire, details and CCTV pictures of any incidents.” Recent meetings in the north-west of the Golf Club Managers Association (GCMA), of which Senior is a member, have revealed that “a surprising number of clubs had been hit by these perpetrators and that some knew of other clubs in their own vicinity,” he adds. “The Lancashire Police response has
been excellent and they have formed a target team to try to track down these criminals,” adds Senior. “They too have suffered the communication problem in trying to identify the clubs involved, but are gradually piecing it together.” “I strongly believe we would all benefit by setting up group emails to local clubs and police forces, where possible overlapping so the information could be
passed on quickly across the country. Better to be told twice than not at all.” Golfwatch schemes in the South-east, notably in and around Croydon, have proved successful at nabbing offenders thanks, in part, to fast responses from clubs in alerting others in the group of any suspicious behaviour or unidentified cars on site and by working closely with community police officers. “Golf club security depends on location,” says Alex Taylor, newly installed secretary of Salisbury & South Wilts Golf Club. “Out of town courses are at less risk from juvenile theft because, for them, it’s a long way from the centre. But, because they are out of the way, fewer people live nearby, so the risk is still there from other types of theft.” Security can be heightened by having a permanent presence on site, Taylor explains. “The flat above our clubhouse is rented by the club captain. That not only brings in extra income but also enables the clubhouse to be manned round the clock.”
As a former police officer, Taylor is
more aware of crime prevention than most. “The aim is to provide security measures that match the value of equipment and facilities you have on site,” he argues. “But, in truth, there is little you can do to prevent break-ins if thieves are determined to gain access.” Taylor’s checklist for clubs includes ensuring good lighting levels around the course and to tighten security of clubhouse provision that is known to
Security and theft
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132