A local user of the Brentford Fountains Leisure Centre is advising visitors to be careful with their belongings after a member of his family became a victim of theft at the facility.

Keith Haines contacted us to relate what happened to his son Charlie when he visited the leisure centre one Saturday recently.

When becoming a member of the centre Charlie was advised to purchase a padlock for the locker where personal items should be kept while using the gym and swimming facilities.
Charlie made his usual visit to the gym at the centre, but someone entered the locker room, cut open the padlock of his locker and stole his watch, wallet and BlackBerry. Charlie is very upset because the stolen watch was an 18th birthday present and of sentimental value.

When reporting the robbery to staff, he learnt that he was not the only locker room victim that day and that others using the facilities were reporting that their lockers had been broken into. Staff on reception confirmed that similar thefts had taken place in the past.

And at the same time that Charlie was reporting the theft, a young lady who was also using the facilities was reporting that her bicycle had been stolen from the cycle rack.

Keith says that Brentford Fountains Leisure Centre should warn people about the possibility of theft and advise them not to bring valuables to the gym. Also, the thieves were apparently unable to break into lockers with heavy duty padlocks and he suggests that members should be advised to buy this kind of padlock.

Mark Saunderson, General Manager responded by saying, " We regret to say that Brentford Fountain Leisure Centre has been subject to number of locker thefts over the last few months, during one of the busiest periods in the year. The Centre seems to have been targeted by thieves and as well as installing CCTV, staff are increasing their patrols of changing areas to prevent further thefts.

"We are extremely concerned by these break-ins. We do ask visitors not to bring valuable items to the Centre, and if they do see any suspicious behaviour would ask them to report it to one of the Fusion staff and it will immediately investigated by the centre’s management team.

"All the incidents have been officially reported and we are working closely with the police investigation to ensure those individuals responsible are caught and charged."

September 7, 2011