Vandals break into bowling club and steal £4,000 gardening machine
A bowling club has been left counting the costs after thieves stole a gardening machine worth £4,000.
The aerator was taken from Coseley Bowling Club on Wednesday sometime between midnight and 7am.
West Midlands Police has launched an investigation but so far no one has been caught.
The theft is particularly damaging as the club lost its main source of income when the season was halted over coronavirus.
Members have been scouring internet sites like Ebay to see if the aerator, which helps to look after the grass, is being sold second-hand.
Club captain and greenkeeper Nigel Freeman, 46, from Coseley, told the Express & Star: "Financially, we are in a difficult situation like many clubs are.
"All bowling leagues were suspended until the foreseeable future due to coronavirus.
"This was our main source of income because from playing matches, our members paid £2 to play. But we still have to spend time and money looking after the green."
The aerator is used to slit the ground allowing for moisture to enter among the grass. This helps in the upkeep of the lawn.
The machine stands at about one metre tall and 0.6m wide.
It was taken from a shed located at Coseley Cricket Club which is based on Church Road, Coseley.
The bowling club is based at the ground and has its own section in the corner.
Thieves also broke into other sheds on the site but the aerator was the only item stolen.
Nigel believes whoever stole the machine were an organised group. Club members say the machine had to be lifted over a stone wall.
To make matters worse, there was no CCTV to capture the events on film.
A West Midlands Police spokesman confirmed enquiries are ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police, quoting crime reference number 20DY/85692B/20.
