Thieves' rollers raid is just not cricket
SCRAP metal thieves have stolen three antique rollers from a cricket club.
They pinched the rollers, which weighed 500lbs, 300lbs and 200lbs, from Weston Cricket Club, near Crewe.
It is believed the raiders, who would have needed a big vehicle to transport the rollers, struck around a fortnight ago at the Main Road ground.
Now club officials are finding out how much replacement rollers will cost.
8kg 1400 spin A+++ rated washer
with a full 6 year warranty - yes SIX years
delivered FAST & FREE
was OVER £600 - For a limited time ONLY £449.90
Amazing value!!!
Terms:
8kg 1400 spin A+++ rated washer
with a full 6 year warranty - yes SIX years
delivered FAST & FREE
was OVER £600 - For a limited time ONLY £449.90
Amazing value!!!
Contact: 01782 342609
Valid until: Saturday, June 01 2013
Cricket club committee fund-raiser Ernie Jones said: "We've lost three of our cricket rollers.
"They are solid metal, at least 80 years old and you cannot get them anymore.
"We use them for getting the wickets prepared.
"The season starts in April but we have to start preparing the square in March. "You start by using the smaller rollers, then work up. But you can only get plastic versions now, which aren't as good.
"We can only think that someone has stolen the rollers for scrap metal.
"It's very disappointing.
"We are hoping another club may have a spare roller or would be willing to let us use theirs, because we just can't find a replacement."
Weston Cricket Club runs three senior teams and five junior teams. The first team competes in the North Staffs and South Cheshire League.
The club, which can trace its history back to around 1875, provides playing and practice facilities for children and adults from aged six upwards.
Club secretary Alan Holdcroft said: "I don't know how much the rollers are worth, but they will have a scrap value.
"To us they are irreplaceable.
"I have been ringing round, but no-one seems to make them anymore. We may have to get them made specially.
"I'm sure we will have to do some fund-raising to get the money together, but I've no idea how much it will cost."
The theft comes as MPs are trying to strengthen existing laws by cracking down on scrap yards buying stolen metal from thieves and giving more powers to police and the courts to shutdown rogue traders.
The rise in metal thefts has coincided with the rising value of scrap metal, the global recession and increased demand for the metal in developing countries like China and India.
Last year, thieves stole more than 50 drain covers from areas in Crewe so they could be cashed in as scrap metal.
Cheshire Police today confirmed it is investigating the rollers theft from the cricket club.
A police spokesman said: "Anyone with any information should call police, in Crewe, on the new non-emergency number, 101, quoting incident number 368 of November 17."
Comments