Club counts cost after three raids

CRIEFF: Thousands of pounds lost after thieves target golf shop

A Perthshire golf club has lost thousands of pounds worth of clothing and equipment after being been raided three times this month. Police are appealing for information following the break-ins to Crieff Golf Club. In the latest incident, which took place on Saturday morning, £1,600 of clothes were taken from the club shop. Club professional David Murchie said: “I’m surprised they didn’t grab any clubs or anything more expensive. “From what I know there have been 20 breakins at professional golf clubs across Scotland recently. “Until we grab the people who did it we won’t know if there are any links.”

Golfers fear they are at the centre of a countrywide crimewave after their club was targeted by thieves three times in 10 days. Chainsaws, a metal detector and sportswear were among the £2,000 haul stolen from Crieff Golf Club during August. The most recent raid was on the pro shop when a window was smashed and rails of golf clothing worth £1,600 were stolen. Club professional David Murchie said security was being reviewed in the wake of the latest incident. “There have been a lot of break-ins at pro golf shops across Scotland recently,” Mr Murchie said. “From what I know there have been 20 so far. Until we grab the people who did it we won’t know if there are any links with the other break-ins.” The first raid at Crieff was overnight on Wednesday August 8 when a metal

There have been a lot of break-ins at pro golf shops across Scotland recently. From what I know there have been 20 so far. DAVID MURCHIE

detector and two chainsaws were stolen from a tractor shed. The building was targeted again between 4.30pm on Friday August 10 and the following day a quantity of diesel was stolen. The break-in at the pro shop happened 12.30am and 1am on Saturday. A window was smashed, triggering the security system. The stolen goods included grey Under Armour fleeces, blue striped Under Armour shirts and royal blue Footjoy tops. Police want to hear from anyone who has been offered golfwear for sale in and around Crieff. Mr Murchie said he was relieved that the thieves stopped at the clothes rails. “I’m surprised they didn’t grab any clubs or anything more expensive,” he said. “I believe the alarm system must have spooked them and they just grabbed what they could – it really saved us. “The break-in has made us revise our current security system and see what we can do to prevent this from happening again.” Police Scotland confirmed other golf pro shops in Tayside and Fife had fallen victim to thieves in the last two months. Officers could not confirm if the crimes were linked. Anyone with information is urged to call 101.