Felixstowe: Rugby club bosses to step up security in wake of fire
Felixstowe Rugby Club's clubhouse - Credit: Archant
Volunteers at Felixstowe Rugby Club say they will step up security measures at the clubhouse in the wake of an alleged arson attack.
Police were called to the Mill Lane club after neighbours spotted a wheelie bin, which appeared to have been pushed against the clubhouse, on fire.
Ben Hardy, a spokesman for the club, believes the fire could have damaged the building were it not for the quick-thinking of people living in the area, who contacted police immediately.
He said: “We are just fortunate that we have got some good neighbours – it’s a family community around the sports ground so people do look out for you.
“Without our neighbours, that building could have gone up.”
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Two men – a 32-year-old and a 29-year-old, both from Felixstowe – were arrested shortly after police arrived at about 10.30pm on July 3. They have since been bailed.
In May last year, the clubhouse was targeted in a burglary, which left the community club £2,500 out of pocket.
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Mr Hardy said the club was looking into how they could step up security measures – but they fear it could cost more than £1,000.
He added: “As a club we are not funded. We work very hard to get what money we can in.
“We have now got to look at getting some kind of CCTV cameras in place and somewhere it can’t be tampered with. We really don’t have the money for it and we are going to have to try and fundraise for it to get a camera system put in there.”
A spokeswoman for Suffolk police said two men who were arrested on suspicion of arson have been bailed until July 25.
If you would like to donate or help the club raise funds for a new CCTV system, send an email to Ben Hardy at hardy387@hotmail.com
