MEMBERS of a social club in Bradford have spoken of their shock and disappointment after allotments in the grounds of the club were burgled earlier this week.

Carr Lane Club in Shipley, formerly known as Windhill Conservative Club, was broken into on Monday night where more than £1,000 of gardening equipment belonging to the club is thought to have been taken.

Malcolm Ford, 72, who is the groundsman and committee member, said he'd "never seen anything like this happen at this side of the club before” and he was physically shaking after he heard about it.

“I was really shocked. About £1,200 of gear is missing, we’ve got some of it back but I’m still out of pocket," he said.

“I don’t know how people have the audacity to break into somebody’s property with the intention of stealing what they’ve stolen. It’s important gear we need to keep the club looking nice.

“You can ask anybody that saw me, I was shaking. I’m an old gentleman and at my age, you don’t expect this sort of thing."

Malcolm said the perpetrators didn’t cause any damage to anything internally, other than smashing the lock from the shed to reach the equipment, but he’s concerned that there’s nothing stopping them from coming back to do the same thing again.

Committee member Craig Buchan was at the club when the incident took place.

He said: “I just couldn’t believe it, it happened in broad daylight.

"I was in the club at the time, and I heard someone shout my name and I turned around and the toe-rags were running off.

“The police have recovered quite a bit but we’re still missing stuff.

"It’s a huge disappointment for everyone at the club and it’s a shame because the allotments are an escape for the elderly clientele especially, and it’s usually a quiet friendly club without any bother so it really is a massive shock.”

Homebase at Five Lane Ends has offered to replace some of the equipment, as well as the local community coming together to donate unused gardening equipment.

The club also welcomes any gardening equipment in the form of donations to be dropped off at the club on Carr Lane.

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: “We are investigating a burglary at Windhill Conservative club on May 3 at around 8.30 pm.

"Enquiries are ongoing. Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting crime reference 13220237554.”