Police are investigating a break-in at the New Norfolk Junior Football Club after thieves stole most of the prizes donated for the club’s end-of-year raffle.
Derwent Valley Council posted video footage of two people arriving at the precinct on a motorbike before leaving with the stolen goods.
The council said two people broke into the Tynwald Park Pavilion in the early hours of Sunday, making multiple attempts to gain entry and damaging the lock and door in the process.
They also attempted to break into a storage cage within the precinct.
Council said public property had been damaged and possessions belonging to the club were stolen.
Mayor Michelle Dracoulis said the offenders had “damaged public property and stolen raffle prizes from the Junior Football Club.”
“If you know something please report it,” she said.
The club said it was “absolutely devastated” by the theft, which stripped away prizes that local businesses, sponsors and families had donated to support junior footballers.
“So much time, generosity and hard work has gone into organising this raffle, only for someone to come along and take that away from our club and our kids,” the club said.
“To say we are angry, disappointed and heartbroken is an understatement.”
The club said the stolen items “weren’t just items sitting in a room – they were generous donations from people who continually support our club and our children.”
It apologised to sponsors and donors, saying it was “so sorry that your generosity has been taken advantage of in this way.”
The club described the theft as “simply disgraceful” and called on the community to come forward with any information.
“Even the smallest piece of information could be important,” the club said.
The break-in comes after Tynwald Park was left covered in deep tyre ruts and burnout marks after vehicles were driven across the turf in June.
Tasmania Police have asked anyone with information about the burglary or suspicious activity in the area to contact New Norfolk Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers Tasmania on 1800 333 000, quoting reference ESCAD 208-24082026.
