How to protect your club from burglary

In partnership with Marshall Wooldridge, who run the ExtraCover Insurance scheme, The Cricketer take a look at various topics from the club game that highlight the importance of taking out the right insurance

Between 2009 and 2011 Lilleshall CC suffered three break-ins. Thieves took valuable machinery and the club safe from the Newport club, leaving the members feeling as if their club wasn't safe anymore.

Without ground equipment and funds Lilleshall would struggle to continue operating as a cricket club.

Following the third burglary in 2011, Lilleshall took action. They purchased SmartWater, a powerful, traceable liquid that also acts as a crime deterrent. They applied this liquid to all ground equipment as well as trophies and electrical items. SmartWater signs were also affixed to the clubhouse windows and all site entrances.

Since then, Lilleshall have not suffered a single incident of theft or attempted theft.

With valuable equipment, and large amounts of cash being present, cricket clubs are at risk of becoming a target for thieves.

But through the use of SmartWater, Lilleshall have brought crime against their club to a standstill.

Mark Dearden, from ExtraCover Insurance, describes SmartWater as "liquid DNA".

"It is easy to apply and almost impossible to remove. If an item of club machinery or property is stolen, and a similar item turns up in the back of someone's van, police can check it using an ultra-violet light.

"If a yellow spot comes up then police can identify exactly where the item has come from," Dearden explained.

This is because SmartWater have an online declaration form which clubs can download and note which items they have marked, so if anything is stolen they can hand this to the police or their insurers.

SmartWater can be used across most items of club property, including: mowers, tractors, covers and sightscreens.

^{Contents of the SmartWater pack}

The Cricketer are pleased to report that ExtraCover Insurance have secured a exclusive deal to provide their customers with SmartWater.

Dearden commented, "Our aim has been purely to help our clubs reduce the threat of a burglary. SmartWater is a proven deterrent and can give peace of mind to our members about the security at their club.

"SmartWater is recognised by all police forces in the UK now, and where it has been issued theft and burglary has dropped by 40 percent.

"It doesn't stop crime but it deters it."

This has been proven as 74 per cent of criminals said they would avoid a location where SmartWater signage was on display.

Cricket clubs can often be the social epicentre of thriving villages and towns around the country. They host far more than just cricket matches, with the spacious clubhouses and surrounding grounds hosting both indoor and outdoor events throughout the year.

Clubs rely on these non-cricket events to generate much-needed income, but local residents would be reluctant to have a drink in the bar if they knew that thieves had set foot in that very room. 

Lilleshall residents will certainly have felt uneasy whilst their club were being targeted, but the introduction of SmartWater has made the community feel safe once again.  

Speaking on behalf of SmartWater, Sheran Guy, commercial manager, stated: "We are confident that SmartWater will provide the deterrent and protection of your property, to keep would-be thieves away."

Clubs not insured by ExtraCover Insurance have to pay £120 for the pack, then the renewal fee is £120 per year.

However, ExtraCover Insurance customers pay only £72 for the pack, with the yearly renewal fee costing only £30.

This represents a saving of £48 in the first year and £90 for every year after that.

If your club is covered by ExtraCover Insurance, click here for the exclusive offer. To find out if your club is covered and therefore eligible for the offer, click the link and start typing your club name in the drop down menu and it will auto-fill eligible clubs. Select your club name and click redeem.

Clubs not covered, click here to purchase at full price.

Contact the dedicated ExtraCover Insurance team if you would like to get a quote or would like a review of your cricket club insurance

Call free on 0800 289 301 to speak with Mark, Helen, or David or email extracover@marswool.com

Click here to visit the ExtraCover Insurance website