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WATCH: Golf academy targeted by thieves

A golf academy targeted by thieves who stole thousands of pounds worth of astroturf says police have told them they will call to see them "on Friday".

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CCTV of one of the thieves

The thieves broke into The Mark Butler Golf Academy, in Sedgley, at 5.20am on Tuesday and stole the astroturf which was needed for mini golf to open at the site this month.

And Nicola Butler, who runs the family business along with husband Mark and their sons, said police told them they will be there on Friday.

Nicola said: "We're a small family-run business and we do so much for the community.

"We put all our savings into it and all we ever get is broken into all the time.

"It's beyond a joke. At 5.20am they basically came and were bashing the gates and smashed them open and were looking around the trailers.

"We had our astroturf delivered as we're having mini golf built and they took it. We were supposed to open the mini golf this month.

"The police said 'We will see you on Friday'.

"The local authority said we can't do petting experiences due to the Indian variant so my other side of the business is going to close down.

The trailer full of stolen astroturf

"We're constantly getting broken into. We're constantly getting fires and vandalism and people taking drugs, it's a constant battle.

"Over lockdown it was that bad we had to move on site to keep an eye on the premises.

"I feel like we're getting more response off people on Facebook than we have from the police.

"The public have been very supportive, we're getting phone calls with leads."

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "We are investigating a break-in the Mark Butler Golf Academy at just after 7am on Tuesday when a trailer and astro turf were reported stolen.

"Officers are also investigating an earlier incident when fire damage was caused to play equipment at the at the centre in Sandyfields Lane, Sedgley, in the early hours of Monday, 10 May.

"At this stage we do not believe these incidents are linked.

"We understand the frustrations of the owner and arranged for officers to visit the premises yesterday to discuss the situation with them and offer support.

"CCTV from the site, covering the most recent break-in, has also been seized and will be reviewed as our enquiries continue.

"Anyone with information can contact us via live chat at west-midlands.police.uk, or call 101, quoting log 524 of 18 May."

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