Windermere and Keswick have been hit already in the last week. If you are around the Changing Rooms and meet someone you don't know, please challenge them.
Also, all team managers make sure that valuables are kept secure and Ground Duty volunteers, don't leave the building unattended, please.

From Derek Leake

The thief that was targeting rugby clubs late last season is still at it. Keep your valuables safe and do NOT hand them to someone you do not know.

A burglar targeting sports clubs across the country is believed to have struck again in Lancashire.

Earlier this year police issued a warning following a series of burglaries they believe are linked and officers are now once again urging all venues to check their security measures and ensure valuables were properly looked after following the latest thefts.

The latest happened at St Anne’s Cricket Club, Highbury Road East between 5.20pm and 7.45pm on Sunday, August 3rd when a thief went into a changing room during the match and stole cash and mobile phones valued at more than £2,000.

And on Saturday a thief targeted Thornton Cleveleys Sports Club. Bourne Road between 2.45pm and 3.10pm and stole cash and mobile phones worth almost £3,000.

Police want to speak to Alan Phillip, 62, about the latest thefts and a series of others across the country.

The warning earlier this year followed a spate of burglaries which police believe may be linked. One was at Fylde Rugby Club, Blackpool Road, Lytham St Annes on Saturday, March 22nd where an offender conned his way into the away players’ changing area and stole £2500 of property including bank cards, wallets, mobile phones, watches and cash. He was extremely confident and even assisted the visiting team carrying training and physio equipment onto the playing area, which will have been witnessed by the crowd.

Another theft happened at Preston Grasshoppers which was targeted between 10.45am and 12.15pm on Sunday 16th March where an offender stole two mobile phones from the changing area.
Thieves have also targeted other rugby clubs in the county. Between 7pm and 8.45pm on Tuesday 18th March an offender went into the changing rooms at Blackpool Rugby Club, Fleetwood Road, Bispham and stole three mobile phones and cash.
Between 1pm and 2.40pm on March 19th thieves went into the changing room complex in the University of Central Lancashire’s West Building of the sports arena on Tom Benson Way and stole a quantity of smart phones and tablets worth in excess of £2,000 before leaving the scene.

Phillip, 62, also goes by the name Anthony Tye. He is also wanted by West Midlands Police in relation to a theft at Edgbaston where a large quantity of mobile phones and cash were stolen. This offence took place on 4th December 2013 and the offender purported to be a physio at the club and offered to take a valuables bag for safekeeping.

He is also wanted by Avon and Somerset Police.

Phillip is described as 6ft 2ins and usually wears casual or smart casual clothes and carries a rucksack (picture attached)

Detective Inspector Warren Atkinson, of Preston Police, said: “We would warn other sports clubs to be mindful of who they trust valuables to and also to check on their security, such as checking that they have working CCTV, or consider installing some if they don’t already have it.”
“I am keen to hear from anyone who feels they may have information or know the identity of the offender. Alan Philip is wanted for several thefts and is believed to travel the length and breadth of the United Kingdom committing similar offences at sports venues including rugby, football and cricket clubs. We believe he travels by public transport and stays at B&Bs where he almost certainly pays cash. I would ask anyone who works in the hotel business, works within public transport or is involved with a sport to have a good look at his photograph. We are extremely keen to ensure Alan Philip doesn’t strike again and I would ask anyone who has any information in relation to these thefts to contact me.”
Police are appealing for with information to get in touch by calling 101.