Sports clubs up in arms at vandals (From Free Press Series)

Sports clubs up in arms at vandals

POLICE are to hold talks with local sporting clubs in a bid to stamp out vandalism on the Chippenham Fields.

The growing vandalism problem was graphically illustrated recently when a rugby match between Monmouth and Bargoed had to be stopped to allow players the chance to clear broken glass from the field.

And both the rugby and soccer matches planned for this weekend are in jeopardy as thieves have removed the goal posts and uprights.

Monmouth Rugby Football Club's acting secretary Pete Walters said: "We've been constantly angered by the amount of vandalism taking place on the sports pitches.

"The pavilion has always been a target of mindless vandalism and graffiti. We've also seen a steady increase of glass bottles being smashed onto the pitch near the stands.

"Before every match we have to make sure the playing surface is free from dog's mess and glass and other debris, but the field is a large area and sometimes these small items can get overlooked.

"The police have already suggested a number of solutions to the various problems, but many of these have a flaw and hopefully at this meeting we will found a mutually agreeable solution.

"I still have vivid memories when a match had to be stopped while ambulance crews dealt with a player whose blood vessel had be severed by a shroud of glass.

"And recently the referee made the right decision to stop the game against Bargoed so that the glass could be picked up so as to ensure players safety."

Monmouth Town Councillor Sue Chivers said: "Vandalism in Chippenham has been a problem for a long time. We now have two community police officers in the town and they should perhaps spend more time in Chippenham where many of the problems are.

"Louts regularly congregate down on the Chippenham Mead and are they are seen drinking and goodness knows what else goes on."