Ipswich: Sneak thief in raid on soccer dressing room

POLICE are hunting an opportunist thief today after a football club’s changing room was raided as the team prepared for a game.

The incident occurred at Pauls Sports Club in Salmet Close, Ipswich, before Achilles’ match against Wickham Market in the Senior Division of the Suffolk and Ipswich Football League (SIL).

The thief managed to grab mobile phones, cash, trainers, wallets and keys. The offender then fled before the players realised.

The incident occurred sometime between 2pm and 2.30pm on Saturday.

Dave Morgan, chairman of Achilles, said his players had been warming up prior to the match when the thefts took place.

The Wickham Market team and the game’s officials were also believed to have been outside when the thefts happened.

The offender is believed to have walked into the building, past the referee’s changing room, and into the home team’s dressing room which was the next door along.

Mr Morgan said: “As far as we can establish, at a point where nobody was in the home dressing room, somebody saw the door to the corridor open and went straight in, possibly trying the referee’s room but hearing talking looked in the next room, which was the home dressing room. They whipped in and randomly picked up several things and disappeared.

“I had been in the kitchen. I came out into the main hall and there was a bit of an uproar with people saying there’s been a theft.

“At least four players had things stolen. People were annoyed and frustrated. I am lost for words. It’s just sad.”

Despite the thefts the game went ahead with Achilles winning 3-2.

Police say they received reports of the incident and are looking for the thief. Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.