As you are no doubt aware the Pavilion in St John’s Park was broken into twice over the weekend. On both occasions our bar was the target with the security shutters being forced open. The result was the loss of spirits, beer, wine and confectionery. In addition the bar was ransacked and the card payments equipment, iPad, PC and other items stolen. We estimate that stock losses plus repair of the damaged shutters, bar counter and cupboards will be in excess of £2,000. Whilst the club is insured for such events the policies have excesses for the various claim categories. Assuming we are successful in our claims, the overall net cost to the club will still be c£600, plus the inevitable increase in our insurance premium next year. The youngsters who entered the premises left a series of finger prints and it is hoped that the police will be able to match these up with their records. The thefts will be reported in the local paper this week. In the meantime the Club will be doing everything in its power to improve the security of the Pavilion and our property. We will be requesting Mid Sussex DC and Burgess Hill town council improve St John’s Park in general and replace the windows with more secure units, install a keypad security alarm entry system and effective security lighting with CCTV cameras around the building and in the Park. Your assistance and support with this initiative will be invaluable. As a club we provide coaching to some 200 local youngsters every year, we coach in most of the town’s primary and secondary schools, we make our facilities available to local schools, the County and other organisations. We hope the respective councils will see this and work with us on this matter moving forward.
