AUDACIOUS thieves managed to smash their way into a Teignbridge golf course and steal tens of thousands of pounds worth of trophies.

Teignmouth Golf Club was broken into by a gang of thieves who made off with trophies which, as well as their metal value, had significant historical and personal value.

The break-in happened on Wednesday April 2 at 10.20pm.

Club bosses discovered the trophy cabinet had been smashed and raided.

The club celebrated its centenary in 2024 and some of the missing trophies date back that far, many donated by family and friends in memory of past members.

While the missing trophies are worth many thousands of pounds to replace, they could be of much less value to thieves who would be likely to melt them down for the silver value.

Police arrived within 10 minutes of the club’s alarms being triggered but the thieves had already fled the scene.

Although the incident was captured on CCTV no-one has yet been identified.

The footage shows two people, wearing hoods and masks, smash their ways through the front door window, before picking up an object and breaking the trophy cabinet.

The two then proceed to stuff the stolen goods into a sack.

The footage lasts about two-and-a-half minutes

A club spokesman said: ‘The whole club is devastated at the loss of these trophies, as they represent over 100 years of history as well as a sentimental value to many of the members. They are irreplaceable.

‘We are desperate to get them back and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.’

Anyone with information about the break-in is asked to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting the crime reference 50250082371.