FQ Northern targeted five times in two months by thieves, recording $50k in damages

A Townsville football organisation targeted by thieves five times in two months say they have been left with no other option than to bring in a 24/7 caretaker, after criminals left $50k of damage in their wake.

Fencing on the property was damaged when thieves stole the organisation's ute and drove through it.

A Townsville football organisation targeted by thieves five times in two months say they have been left with no other option than to bring in a 24/7 caretaker, after criminals left $50k of damage in their wake.

Football Queensland (FQ) Northern had just dropped $1500 on brand new locks, and were waiting on new security cameras – after all but two were smashed in a previous break-in – when criminals armed with sledgehammers struck on December 23.

This time, the thieves gained access to two office spaces, smashed the two remaining working security cameras, destroyed fencing, broke a video recorder and screen doors.

The FQ Northern ute was also stolen and dumped just 500 metres away.

NBN wiring was found ripped from the walls of the office.

Annandale-based Football Queensland Northern was targeted for the fifth time in two months, this time by sledgehammer-wielding thieves. The ute was stolen and dumped 500m down the road, with the fencing still attached.

General manager for Annandale-based FQ Northern, Declan Carnes said it was a “lot of damage for no reason”.

“They took the ute and drove it through the fence, and they discovered it sitting at Townsville Cricket with the fence still attached,” Mr Carnes said.

This most recent break-in comes after security was upped, including the installation of deadbolts and bars on the windows.

Mr Carnes estimated there had been about $50k worth of damage to the property, $10k of which for the destroyed CCTV cameras.

He said he had hoped to use funds from a government grant to install new lights for the park, but now he felt the only option was to instead use the money to bring in a full-time caretaker and security dog for the property.

Annandale-based Football Queensland Northern was targeted for the fifth time in two months, this time by sledgehammer-wielding thieves. A video recorder was smashed in the recent break-in.

Fencing on the property was damaged when thieves stole the organisation's ute and drove through it.

“That’s the only way to get through this going forward we need a dog on the property, a caretaker, a good alarm system and cameras,” he said.

“It’s an unnecessary added expense when we could be focusing on lighting to have the kids out of the sun, playing football.”

He said the remaining funds from the grant would go towards the building of a new disabled toilet.

Having held the position of general manager since 2015, Mr Carnes said he’d never seen the organisation targeted so often in years gone by.

“We have been broken into two times since 2015 (until now),” he said.

“There’s no reason for it.”

He said they now faced a busy month to get the grounds back in order before the season kicks off in February.

A Townsville resident on and off since 1977, Mr Carnes said crime was becoming a “systemic problem” for the region.

“This is by far the worst we’ve ever seen it, that’s for sure,” he said.

Originally published as FQ Northern targeted five times in two months by thieves, recording $50k in damages