CROOKS forced their way into a village cricket club and caused thousands of pounds of damage.

Mistley Cricket Club, in New Road, was targeted on Sunday night in what was the third break-in the club has suffered in the past three years.

Staff at the club were alerted after the thieves tripped the alarm.

They cut through a security lock on the front gate with a disc cutter, before causing £5,000 of damage.

Robin Mills, secretary, said: “It’s frustrating.

"It’s the third time in the last five years.

“When you get to the club and see there is a door hanging open of course it’s frustrating.

“But it’s not just that, it affects us in that we have to make an an insurance claim and that costs us. We are very annoyed.

“We are very lucky to have a nice, modern facility and we try to look after it, only for some scumbag to trash the place.

“We know Wivenhoe Cricket Club was broken in to last week.

“We just want to play cricket and not be side tracked by break-ins . They weren’t interested in the cricket equipment, they were looking for cash, alcohol and cigarettes to feed their habits.”

The crooks gained entry to the bar, taking spirits and smashing the empty till in search of money.

The alarm was ripped from the wall and a fire door was damaged.

Mr Mills added: “It happened at around 10.30pm on Sunday, September 4.

“We were down there and on site at around 10.45pm but they had gone,” he added.

“There must have been more than one person because of the amount of damage done in that short space of time.” 

Anyone with information should call Essex Police on 101.