Golf clubs have become a target for robbery attempts in recent weeks due to the soaring value of silver.
Police have alerted clubs to a rise in break-ins, with trophy cabinets being raided instead of the more-typical expensive equipment.
UK police reportedly believe that the robbery spike is because of silver’s value rising 160% in the past year.
West Malling Golf Club was the target of a recent break-in. Pic: Facebook/West Malling Golf Club
In January, two English golf clubs, Ridge Golf Club and West Malling Golf Club in Kent, were the subject of break-ins within days of each other.
The robbers forced their way inside with a crowbar on both occasions.
Similarly, another January raid occurred with almost the same tactics at Surrey National Golf Club, along with trophy cabinets being recently ransacked at clubs in Scotland and near Coventry.
Thieves broke in with a crowbar. Pic: Facebook/West Malling Golf Club
Last year, police in Gloucestershire sent out a warning to golf clubs, believing that robbers may have been getting away with thousands of euro worth of goods.
The value of silver has fluctuated recently, hitting €104 an ounce in January before slipping down to €66.
Nevertheless, it is now more than twice the value that it was this time last year.
Trophy cabinets were raided. Pic: Facebook/West Malling Golf Club
A former detective with the Metropolitan Police has since told the Daily Mail about the ‘clear’ links between the value of silver and the rise in robberies.
Peter Bleksley said: ‘It’s very clear these raids are linked to the rising price of silver. This is organised crime.
‘Criminals are always innovating. They monitor the markets and think of ways to strike. They are always looking for that new target. It’s clear golf club trophy cabinets are that new target.
‘They are bypassing the expensive clubs, worth thousands, which may be marked, tracked and harder to sell on. Instead, they are going for the silver trophies.
‘I think this will be a very rude awakening to the golf world. It’s also winter, nights are longer, golf clubs are often remote countryside locations.
‘So the risk of being caught is smaller. They would have worked all of this out. It’s an easy metal to then sell on and profit from easily.’
Meanwhile, an unnamed golf club owner revealed more details about one of the raids.
They stated: ‘About 12 trophies were taken in one raid. We feel sick.
‘We didn’t think for a second that burglars would target our trophies. It feels like a real invasion of our privacy.’