THIEVES who raided shipping containers have cleaned out a company that maintains cricket grounds.

Burglars took at least £20,000 of specialist equipment used by Keighley-based JMS Sports UK to ensure pitches across the country are in tip-top condition.

They used cutting tools to break through the steel walls of 15 containers on land off Keighley Road, Silsden, near the River Aire bridge.

The raiders made off with a wide range of items, from hand tools and strimmers to large and expensive groundworks equipment such as scarifiers and mowers.

Police have recovered two wheelbarrows dumped nearby and were investigating a trail of trampled grass leading away from the containers. In recent weeks company director Jonathan Smith had been using the equipment to finish off work for several cricket clubs in time for the beginning of the playing season.

Mr Smith’s wife Carole said “It’s going to affect our business because it’s going to put Jonathan out-of-work. They’ve taken every bit of equipment that we own. They’ve taken all the equipment we do the groundworks with, and it’s the start of the cricket season.

“We’ve been trying to get the message to all local cricket clubs about what’s been stolen.”

Stolen items include brand new Stihl FS360 strimmers, a climbing saw, Stihl backpack blower, a Honda generator, a Royer shredder, Sisis trio rotorake and Sisis 600, and many smaller drills, handtools and Dewalt gear.

The burglary happened between Sunday night at midnight and 5am on Monday morning. Although JMS Sports UK has insurance, Mrs Smith said it was too early to know whether the full cost would be covered.

Keighley Police said enquiries were continuing. Anyone with information to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or the police non-emergency number 101.