A sickened cricket club official is pleading for help to stop persistent vandalism at the Huddersfield ground he helps to run.
Rodger Massiah wants parents and youth services to step in to combat years of damage.
And he is poised to voice his fears to the town’s police chief in a bid for action. Mr Massiah says repeated complaints to police have done nothing to stem the tide of crime.
Police say the damage is ‘mindless vandalism’ and that patrols around the club site are continuing.
Mr Massiah, who is responsible for the ground and facilities at Edgerton and Dalton Cricket Club, said: “Youngsters are ruining a community resource and I am sick of it.
“We have been playing here for 10 years and every season there has been wanton damage to the cricket square, nets and surrounds. It just goes on and on.”
Last Saturday, the wheels were taken from expensive sight screens and thrown into bushes. All the washers and pins were lost and will have to be replaced at a cost of around £200. The screens themselves cost around £1,300 each.
“Last season we had to put the screens down flat and that heralded young people coming to ride up and down and break them, even jumping on them. They had to be completely replaced. It all costs.
“The nets are there to protect housing, but they play football against them and rip them to pieces.
“Every year, without fail, there is wanton damage. I am sick and tired of reporting it.”
The club was originally Edgerton Cricket Club, but when the organisation moved to Dalton Fold Road in 2005 the name Dalton was added.
“We were a bit nomadic, playing at various sites and we got the chance to have a permanent home here,” said Mr Massiah.
“The local kids are approachable but not engaged. Where are the youth services teams, guiding them towards more positive things?
“The police have sent officers who say they will treat the problem as a priority but yet the damage goes on. It is very frustrating for us.”
Mr Massiah said it would cost around £30,000 to fence off the whole area and make it more secure.
“And it’s money we don’t have,” he said.
“I am considering writing to the divisional police commander to express my concerns.
“The players are fed up. They are victims. We come to play cricket and there is all this. They are gobsmacked and distressed.
“Members are paying for facilities which have to be fit for purpose.”
Despite the problems, the club is doing well with more than 40 members. There is also a thriving junior section.
“We want to promote this section as the future of the club,” said Mr Massiah. “I appeal to parents to keep an eye on what their children are doing and what damage they may be creating.”
PCSO Bryan Clarkson, of Huddersfield Central NPT, said: “We are aware of anti-social behaviour issues at the cricket club and are in regular contact with organisers there. Recent incidents have included damage to cricket screens and to the pavilion as a result of a ball being kicked against it.
“Specific attention was given to the club between February and March and during this time there were no incidents of damage. We have been giving attention since and will continue to patrol the area.
“We believe the damage is being caused by young people playing on and hanging around the site.
“This is a community facility on which the organisers are encouraging young people to learn cricket and it is a pity it continues to be subject to mindless vandalism.
Anyone who knows the identities of those committing these acts should contact the Huddersfield Central NPT on 101.
