Sports clubs across Melton have been repeatedly targeted by thieves and vandals, leaving them with extensive repair bills.
Police are investigating a string of crimes which have taken place this year and caused havoc at several local sports venues, including Melton Junior Football Club’s clubrooms.
Leading Senior Constable Matt Mudie said the rampage had dramatic financial repercussions for the volunteer-run clubs.
He said thieves had taken small quantities of food and drink from canteens, but the damage bills were ‘‘quite severe’’.
“As a community we need to look after
these locations,’’ Leading Senior Constable Mudie said. ‘‘If you see people behaving suspiciously in these areas, report it to police.”
Melton Junior Football Club secretary Yvonne Newton said the club had been broken into six times in six weeks.
“It was very unsettling for everyone and made everyone feel unsafe,” Newton said.
“We just didn’t know what to expect every time we went in.
“We have so many volunteers who put so much energy into the football and netball club, it’s just very disheartening.”
Windows were smashed, cupboards torn down and clubrooms trashed in other recent attacks in the city.
A shed was burnt down at Melton Centrals Cricket Club.
Melton council is working with police and sports clubs that lease council-owned buildings to improve security measures, including extra security patrols to buildings already monitored by alarms.
Leisure and facilities manager Adrian Burns said funding for additional security measures at Melton sports facilities had been included in the council’s 2014-15 budget.
Police have interviewed two people about the crime spree and expect to lay charges.
