Thieves target Totton Three Score Club using wood stolen from garden of remembrance

Intruders are thought to have used a piece of wood stolen from a nearby garden of remembrance to smash their way into the Totton and District Three Score Club.

They wrecked the alarm system, ransacked the office and damaged five doors, leaving the floor littered with broken glass.

The break-in, thought to be the first in the club’s 66-year history, was reported at 7.46am yesterday after someone walking past the premises in Library Road, Totton, noticed some of the damage.

Members arrived at 9am to find a “Police Aware” notice on the front door.

The club was forced to close because of the damage and the need to wait for police to gather any forensic evidence, including fingerprints.

Three sessions involving table tennis, line dance instruction and sequence dancing were called off but the single-storey building is due to reopen today.

Activities including darts, solo whist and art will go ahead as usual.

Chairman Colin Boulain said: “I’m disappointed it’s happened and frustrated we couldn’t stage our usual activities but relieved they didn’t cause more damage.

“They could have taken the computer and smashed all the cups and plates in the kitchen.

“The intruders only seem to have attacked areas which were locked. I think they were after things such as alcohol and cigarettes but we don’t keep any on the premises.”

Trustees of the club include Totton councillor David Harrison, who described the break-in as “very upsetting”.

He added: “It’s a club that’s run entirely by volunteers, providing friendship and a wide variety of activities for older people.

“It’s hard to understand why anyone would want to break into the club. There isn’t anything of much value and the damage just makes you feel sick.”

Several people took to social media to voice their shock and disgust at the break-in.

One said: “The club is a godsend for the over 60s. Keeps them entertained and stops the loneliness.”

Another social media user added: “That place is a lifeline for some of our older residents.”

The club, which opened in 1953, has about 300 members aged between 60 and 96.

A police spokesman said: “The premises were broken into sometime overnight (on Monday-Tuesday). It is not known at this time what, if anything, has been stolen.”

Anyone with information can call police on 101, quoting 44190051481.