Club smashed up in weekend raid (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Club smashed up in weekend raid

8:13pm Monday 6th February 2012 in Bradford By Dolores Cowburn

A social club has been left counting the cost after vandals broke in after shimmying up a drainpipe before smashing their way into the 1 in 12 Club.

The break in at the Albion Road was made worse for the oweners to bear as the club had just got through an ardous fire inspection and had to install new fire doors and a fire alarm system.

The doors have now been smashed by the thieves who escaped with only £33 of cash.

Damage is estimated at £1,000, with hundreds of pounds of power tools, including a saw and an angle grinder, also stolen in the raid, believed to have happened between 2.30am and noon on Sunday. An alarm at the premises failed to go off.

The break-in was discovered by members when they found the pool tables smashed, the jukebox damaged and bar grilles wrecked as thieves broke items in their bid to find cash. The members’ club has a bar, cafe, library and recording room.

Member Bri, who did not want to give his surname, said: “It is worse because we had just got through our inspection and lots of people helped us out with donations, time and energy and then this happens.

“Someone just comes in and smashes it up and ruins it. They had to break through fire doors. They tried to get to the safe room, but they didn’t get into the safe.

“We are dipping into the maintenance fund to try to pay for the damage because the insurance excess would be absolutely ridiculous if we tried to claim.”

A Bradford South Police spokesman said that they were called at 12.30pm on Sunday to reports of a burglary at a club on Albion Street.

“It is believed those responsible have entered through a window of the building and money was taken from gaming machines and a jukebox,” the spokesman added.

“Extensive damage was also caused to the interior of the premises.

“Such offences can be particularly disruptive, especially to businesses which rely on such equipment for their trade. A lot of work will now have to be undertaken to repair this damage and we are working hard to trace those responsible.

“Scenes of crime officers have examined the scene and inquiries are ongoing.

“Any witnesses or anyone with any information should contact Bradford South Police on the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.”