Peeblesshire News | News | Stumped at vandalism

Saturday, 11th October, 2008

Published: Monday, 23rd June, 2008 12:00

Stumped at vandalism

Peebles County Cricket Club were hit for six after vandals destroyed the wicket at their Whitestone Park ground last Saturday night.

Members were left stumped after discovering the senseless act of vandalism upon arrival at the ground the following morning.

The culprits involved removed a temporary fence that surrounds the wicket and used the posts to gouge the turf.

A hut belonging to Peebles FC was also broken into and goalposts were dragged across the wicket leaving the surface unplayable.

This cowardly attack is believed to have occurred due to an incident that took place at the cricket ground earlier in the week.

On Tuesday June 9, a gang of neds began hurling water bombs at the juniors during training but when club captain, Darren Chatt asked them to leave they lashed out with a torrent of abuse.

One young girl went home crying as a result of the abuse that was hurled.

Darren said, “The police have been notified on both occasions and the main individuals involved are known. It’s frustrating because if I were to confront them again myself I’d probably end up being the one arrested.

“It’s a pity because we’re seeing a real increase in numbers at the moment in our juniors due to the 20/20 and IPL, and these yobs are ruining it for everyone.”

“They’re just a bunch of idiots with nothing better to be doing.”

Tommy Williamson, Secretary of Tweeddale Rovers, whose clubhouse windows have been smashed on numerous occasions over the past few weeks, echoed this view.

He said: “We’ve had a number of windows smashed in the pavilion. At first we just repaired them but then we got fed up and notified the police. We’ve now erected meshing in an attempt to stop this.

“On a Friday and Saturday night it’s like a drinking den around here and they can see the police coming in time to scarper. It’s basically just mindless vandalism.”

Davie Graham, Vice-Chairman of Peebles FC also highlighted the problem of underage drinking in the area. He said: “There’s a crowd of youngsters who are down here a lot drinking in the stands and they smash their bottles all over the place.

“It’s a real annoyance on matchdays having to clean up after them.”

A police spokesperson confirmed that officers are aware of these incidents and that a definite line of inquiry is being followed at present.

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