Forestville Ferrets: Footy club calls on alleged burglars to give themselves up
A junior footy club is so sick and tired of its facilities being burgled and vandalised that it is prepared to release photos of the alleged criminals if they don’t give themselves up.
Manly
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A frustrated footy club — that has been broken into 14 times in just 18 months — is urging those who burgled its northern beaches’ facilities on the weekend to give themselves up.
The popular Forestville Ferrets Junior Rugby League Football Club has security camera images of at least six young males who used bolt cutters to get into club rooms at the end of secluded Currie Rd late last Saturday night.
Club officials have now turned the images of the males, estimated to range in age from 16 to 20 years, over to Northern Beaches Police.
But club secretary Carly Tracey told the Manly Daily that the Ferrets want to give the alleged perpetrators a chance to come forward before police catch up with them or their images are released publicly on Friday.
Ms Tracey said club officials, players, supporters and sponsors were sick and tired of people breaking into club buildings to try and steal alcohol, or other valuables, stored in the clubhouse, dressing rooms and canteen.
“Last weekend they used bolt cutters to cut a padlock on the main gate so they could drive a vehicle onto the playing fields and do some circle work.
“Then, about six or eight young guys cut off every padlock, using bolt cutters or an angle grinder, to try and get into the buildings.”
Ms Tracey said they failed to get into the main club house, which has a liquor licence, and canteen, but did manage to force their way into the dressing rooms and gym.
They also climbed onto a first floor balcony to try and smash the CCTV security cameras.
“We were lucky they didn’t get into the club house, but these break-ins are becoming distressing for our club.
“So far it has happened around 14 times in about 18 months. This year alone we have had at least five or six break-ins and vandalism episodes.
“Every time we have been broken into, it is the volunteers who have to clean up after these inconsiderate people and it’s the club which has to foot the bill to repair and replace the damaged fields and property.
“It costs us thousands of dollars and the actions of these idiots wreck it for everyone.”
Ms Tracey said the police told her they had technology that could enhance the CCTV images and help them identify the young men.
“It is only a matter of time before they are identified, so it will be better all around for them if they owned up to it before this happened.
“We have agreed with the police to not release the footage until this coming Friday to give anyone who may know something a chance to come forward.”