Just over a week ago, one of the steel containers at WOAC was attacked and the locks cut off with an angle grinder. The lawnmower, generator and bush cutter were stolen and the thieves carried them away across the field to a waiting vehicle in a farmers field.
Last night (5th August.) they returned and broke into the other containers. Using the same methods and point of entry and exit, we have to consider they were the same thieves. This time they stole all the club bows, arrows and shooting equipment.
Looking at all the features of this incident we have to conclude that the thieves were either archers or acting on behalf of archers. They stole armguards and stands which were not kept with bows, they even took bow stringers. (To a non archer a stringer is just a rolled up ball of tape). They even stole a roll of fifty, unopened and unused target faces. (to a non archer this is just a rolled up tube of paper). In fact, except for bosses, pretty much everything you would need archery.
While this will not affect what we do at WOAC, if it happens to another club it could well be a severe problem. I urge all county clubs to pay extra attention to their club premises, security generally and how they store/deal with club bows.
Don’t let this happen to you.
John Marshall
NCAS Chair.
