Cricket clubs working with police to deter thieves

Police are working with cricket clubs in Devon on a new crime prevention scheme following a recent spate of thefts.

Bridestowe & Belstone Cricket Club, in the Okehampton area, was one of the affected clubs and had some of its equipment stolen prior to the season starting, officers said.

Devon and Cornwall Police has joined forces with the Devon Cricket Foundation to try to stop further thefts from happening, using the SmartWater property marking system.

Devon Cricket Foundation's funding and facilities manager Nick Goodliffe said the scheme would act as a "significant deterrent" to thieves.

Bridestowe & Belstone Cricket Club said the recent thefts had put a big strain on its finances.

But Devon and Cornwall Police is providing heavily subsidised property marking kits, which uses liquid containing a unique forensic code to mark items, in the hope of preventing further crime in the region.

Mr Goodliffe said 50 clubs had signed up to the system so far across Devon and Cornwall, and told BBC Radio Devon it was "very pleasing" to hear from the police.

"While this property marking scheme will primarily enable stolen goods to be returned to owners, it will also act as a significant deterrent as thieves will observe the signage provided as part of the kit and will, in many cases, move on elsewhere."

Mr Goodliffe encouraged the cricket community to ensure they are protected from theft and the subsequent challenges it causes.

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