Trophies stolen from golf clubhouse (From Keighley News)

Trophies stolen from golf clubhouse

2:14pm Monday 27th August 2012 in Keighley By Alistair Shand

Thieves have stolen 12 trophies from a golf clubhouse.

Two men were spotted by a neighbour fleeing the scene carrying their £3,000 haul in green garden waste bags.

The break-in occurred at about 10.50pm last Friday (Aug 24) at Branshaw Golf Club, Oakworth.

Entry was forced through a window and the thieves then smashed their way into the trophy cabinet.

An alarm was activated and the club professional and secretary, Simon Jowitt, was there within 20 minutes. Police were already on the scene.

Simon, 31, who has been involved with the club since 1997, said: “We’ve had the odd break-in before but never anything like this. We’re absolutely gutted.

“What makes it even worse is that this is our centenary year.

“Five major competition trophies are among those taken and one or two date back to the 1940s-50s. Three of the trophies are for pairs competitions. They’re all either silver or silver finished.

“On the night of the break-in we used a facebook page to get the message out there and a neighbour saw two men climbing over a wall with the garden waste bags. The men made off in an old car in the direction of Newsholme Manor.”

Police are appealing for anyone with information about the break-in, or who knows the whereabouts of the trophies, to phone 101 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555 111.

Supt Gary Baker, of Airedale and North Bradford Police, urges second-hand shops and jewellers to be vigilant and added that checks would be carried out on premises as part of the investigation.