Golf club angry at second raid

Fairlie's golfing community is in disbelief after two burglaries at the club in three weeks and have a message for the offender: if you're in Fairlie, leave.

Liquor was stolen on January 24, and police returned yesterday, after the green fees box was ripped from concrete and a laptop stolen.

"It's very disappointing because we're a charity – we're here for the community and golfers," club president Andrew Anderson said last night.

"We probably didn't have the best security here, but that will be changing this week."

Members originally thought only money had been stolen in the latest attack, but then realised a laptop used for calculating handicaps had also been taken. "We didn't think of it happening again. It's getting harder and harder. If the person lives in Fairlie then they better leave."

Police said there were normally only two reported burglaries in Fairlie each year.

Senior Constable Russell Halkett said in the first raid cash and alcohol were the targets.

Stolen were bottles of rum, bourbon, vodka, Woodstock and Coke.

This time the offenders were ready to go to lengths to get what they wanted, he said.

"The [green fees] box was forced off the concrete floor with a large jemmy bar. This heavy metal box is quite unique and has a metal pipe attachment that the green fees envelopes slide down."

Mr Halkett said the box that had been taken by the offenders could have been discarded.

There was also money in the box, in small brown envelopes with a small blue tear-off receipt.

"This small club was also the victim of a theft late last year, so they have had more than their share of criminal attention.

"Someone will recognise these items or know something about these incidents, or perhaps their normally broke mate was suddenly flush with cash on a Monday morning," Mr Halkett said.

Anyone with information should phone the Fairlie police station.

Players wanting to play a round can still pay their green fees in the normal way and the money will be cleared several times a day.

- © Fairfax NZ News