Mindless vandals caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to the Midlands’ premier cricket club this week with officials vowing to track down the culprits.
Shrewsbury Cricket Club’s London Road ground has been vandalised on two separate occasions by a small group of youths in the past week.
The cricket square has been flooded, gates broken and removed, brand new sightscreens smashed and the recently repaired roof which cost the club £3,000, has been damaged.
Andy Barnard, chairman of SCC, said the club’s achievement of winning the Birmingham Premier League in September had made the community proud and the culprits should be ashamed of their actions which will have long-term effects on the club’s performance.
“The vandalism has left the cricket square flooded on two separate occasions and vital end-of-season work has been ruined. Seed, spraying and loam costs presently over £800 will have been lost.
“The long-term effect of this wanton vandalism will clearly not be understood by the thoughtless youths. If the square is not prepared correctly then the playing surfaces in 2011 will be poor and this will have a direct effect on the performances of our 1st XI and 2nd XIs.
“If young boys and girls in the locality have nothing better to do than undo the work of the many volunteers striving to make the community better then they should feel ashamed and uneasy.
“We are going to put a great deal of effort into finding out who is vandalising our property,” he added. Residents saw the group on bikes but were not able to apprehend them and descriptions have been passed onto community police officers.
Mr Barnard said charges would be brought against the culprits and local schools will be contacted to spread the word about the club’s outrage.
“The cricket club’s neighbourhood officer, Brian Edwards, has informed the entire residential community living on, or close to, the ground to be watchful of anyone trespassing on the ground. A number of residents are also increasing their dog walking activities to help the vigilance level in and around the London Road ground,” he added.
If anyone has any information regarding criminal damage at Shrewsbury cricket ground, they should contact underdaleandthecolumn.lpt@westmercia.pnn.police.uk or telephone 0300 333 3000 ext 5790.
by Anna Williams