Equipment worth hundreds of pounds stolen in Telford BMX club break-in
Thieves have escaped with hundreds of pounds in equipment from a BMX club inTelford where riders have recently qualified for the World Championships.
The container of track maintenance equipment at Wrekin Riders BMX Club in Dawley was broken into between Wednesday night and Friday morning.
Volunteers say the break-in was probably an opportunist theft but that it would have a big impact on a club, which is run by volunteers.
The track in Duce Road attracts dozens of riders every weekend from three year olds to adult riders.
Thieves escaped with two lawn mowers, two Stihl strimmers and other tools, all of which were used by volunteers to maintain the £250,000 BMX track and surroundings.
Kieran Edwards, who runs the track with his wife Jo and a small committee of volunteers, said he was with volunteers when they discovered the break-in on Friday morning.
They had arrived to do some work in preparation for a visit from an awards judge this weekend.
"It's such a huge kick in the teeth and a massive inconvenience. We work so hard up here and some of our volunteers had taken time off from their jobs on Friday to help get the track ready for the visit from the business awards judge.
"To find the lock broken off and the container broken into was so disheartening," Mr Edwards said.
"For the thieves they've probably made a few quid at the car boot by selling them on but for the club it means we will have to try and source some more equipment for the summer months.
"The summer, when we host the regional championships, is a very busy time and we spend many hours a week cutting grass and ensuring the track and spectator areas are presentable to the riders and visitors who travel from all across the Midlands."
All equipment is now marked with anti-theft SmartWater and security patrols have been stepped up in the area.
Mr Edwards said as the club charged just £2 per session per novice rider and just £20 a year membership for regular riders, the club lacked the funds to replace the equipment but would be able to offer a sponsorship opportunity for any businesses who could help replace or provide the grass cutting and maintenance equipment and tools.
Anybody who has any information about the break in should call police on 101and anyone who can offer any help with replacement equipment can email wrekinriders@outlook.com
