14th November 2017
PREMIUM LEISURE CENTRE SUFFERS LARCENY SCANDAL
David Lloyd centre at Chigwell has confirmed being subject to vehicular theft as well as multiple locker room thefts.
On the 11th November, members of the David Lloyd Leisure Centre received a worrying email detailing criminal activity that had been taking place at the club, with numerous incidents of locker room thefts, and even (to quote the email) “the taking of a car”. What items were stolen from the victims are unknown, but we presume they must have been of monetary worth, due to a subsequent warning being issued that stated a recommendation to “leave valuable items at home”. The email issues no further information on the theft of the car, which has left many bewildered and in fear to use the centres facilities.
Regardless of the stolen goods’ worth, these incidents of theft have caused panic and outrage amongst many of the clubs members, with student and regular attendee Ambra Morina stating that “it is ridiculous that the money we pay for a membership does not guarantee the safety of our belongings”, and there is certainly a case to be made here, with typical entry-rate memberships starting at around £70 per month, there is an expectation that protection of belongings is somewhat accounted for, and especially the theft of a vehicle has outright appalled many.
The issued warning continues to state that the centre is currently “looking into improving security measures”, and club staff member Callum Rix has reinforced this in a brief interview ensuring us that “the centre is working with the police and is cracking down on security procedures”. Even with this in mind, however, it is worrying to think that even in the safety of an expensive and premium centre such as David Lloyd we are still exposed to the threat of such larceny, yet we are sure measures will be put in place quickly in order to address this panic and uncertainty.
By Kai Melhuish.
