BERWICK Speedway has issued an appeal for local residents to look out for sets of keys that were stolen during a break in at Shielfield Park on the early hours of Tuesday morning (September 12).

The keys are for essential track preparation equipment needed for Saturday’s National League Showdown between Berwick Bullets and Belle Vue Colts at Shielfield Park Stadium.

A number of items were vandalised during the incident which has left everyone at Berwick Speedway ‘devastated.’

A spokesperson for Berwick Speedway said: “We are sad to inform everyone that Shielfield Park was broken into and vandalised.

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“Both Berwick Speedway and Berwick Rangers FC have fallen victim to theft and vandalism for the second time this season and we are absolutely devastated.

“A large amount of stock and keys to essential track preparation equipment have been taken and we encourage anyone on Shielfield Terrace, Etal Road and surrounding areas to keep an eye out for the vehicle keys.

“Unfortunately lots of things have been vandalised and Northumbria Police are assessing CCTV footage and forensics are working to identify the guilty parties as we write this.

“After an incredibly tough season this was not the news we wanted to wake up to today.

“This a blow to everyone involved in making Berwick Speedway happen and we will do our very best to work through these problems and be ready for action on Saturday night for one last time in 2023.”

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A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “At about 6.45am today (Tuesday) we received a report of a burglary at Berwick Rangers Football Club that occurred overnight.

“A full investigation has been launched into the incident and anyone found to be responsible will be dealt with swiftly and robustly.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact officers via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of our website or by calling 101 quoting log NP-20230912-0152.

A spokesperson for Berwick Rangers FC said: “Following the break in we’ve been on the receiving end of, Berwick Rangers are appealing for anyone with any footage (either from cctv or ring doorbells) from Monday the 11th of September between 10pm and 4am around Shielfield Park and Etal Road.

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“We are also trying to trace any information on a white Audi outside the ground seen just after midnight acting suspiciously.

“Following the theft of a large amount of club merchandise, we ask for vigilance and if you are offered club shirts and / or training shirts to buy we would ask you to contact Northumbria police."