Over recent months,
Devon & Cornwall Police has seen a worrying rise in burglaries targeting sports clubs across the South West. These incidents underscore the importance of implementing robust security measures to safeguard clubs, their facilities, and equipment.
A recent example was an attempted burglary at Honiton Golf Club on August 27th, when police responded to an intruder alarm at around 1:50 a.m. It's believed the suspects were looking for trophies, but luckily, none were taken as the club removes them from the site overnight. Fortunately, the alarm was enough to deter the intruders and prevent them from stealing equipment or shop goods.
Along with clubhouses, outbuildings and storage containers have been heavily targeted, with ride-on mowers, tractors, and other valuable equipment stolen. Such thefts cause significant disruption and are costly to replace.
Crime prevention advice for sports clubs
At Tamar Security, we work closely with businesses and organisations across the region to help protect their premises. We strongly recommend that all sports clubs take steps to reduce the risk of burglary.
Here are some practical crime prevention measures from Devon & Cornwall Police:
- Install clear signage on gates and entrances stating that all outbuildings are equipped with alarms and monitored.
- Remove trophies overnight, if possible, to avoid tempting opportunistic thieves.
- Mark and tag valuable equipment (such as mowers, tools, and machinery) so it can be traced back to the club, and display signage to advertise this.
- Install a drop-down bollard to stop vehicles from passing through gates.
- Place warning signs on outbuildings indicating monitored alarm systems and tagged equipment.
- Use a monitored alarm system connected to a local contact, with a backup contact for added security.
- Raise local awareness by encouraging neighbours or nearby residents to watch for unusual activity at night and report vehicle lights or suspicious behaviour to the police immediately.
- Securely chain or anchor equipment to the ground to deter theft.
- Install ignition isolators or switches on tractors and machinery to prevent unauthorised use.
- Install a CCTV system to continuously watch over your club buildings.
Taking action
While determined criminals can be difficult to deter, robust security measures significantly enhance the chances of their failure. Visible deterrents, such as alarms, signage, and physical barriers, often deter intruders from acting.
If your sports club would like advice on improving security or installing a
monitored alarm system, Tamar Security is here to help. Our team has extensive experience in protecting clubs, businesses, and community spaces across the South West.
Contact us today to discuss how we can help protect your club.
Image credit:
jhenning
