Bilton Dragon Bowling Club counting cost of repeat vandalism

Police are investigating after Bilton Dragon Bowling Club was subjected to repeat attacks to the fence, gate and bowling green last week.

The vandals smashed the locks off a gate, broke numerous fence panels and, after the club paid to fix the property, returned the next day to repeat the damage.

Secretary of the club, Sara Elsworth, said she has also been forced to clear beer cans from the ground and pay a groundsman to repair the damage caused to the green itself.

She said: “There have been small bikes and scooters used on the green which has cut up the grass and left marks on the green. I’ve had to spend a number of morning cleaning beer cans as well.

“We fixed the damage on Friday, (January 15) but when I returned on Saturday the fence had been ripped down again.

“We play on the green from April to September so, while it isn’t being used at the moment, we could not play on it in this state.”

A PSCO is now investigating the criminal damage and has urged any nearby residents who may have witnessed anything to get in touch.

Ms Elsworth said she believes it’s a number of young children from the local area causing the damage and is concerned the vandals will continue to deface the green.

She said: “It seems to have become a competition, we fix it and they break it again.

“The police have given us a sign to put up to ward off vandals so hopefully that will help.

“We worry now that every time we turn up at the club now we are going to find new damage that has been committed.

“The worry is that this will happen again. There’s no reason for the damage, why would anyone want to cause damage to the club?

“It doesn’t make any sense. You turn up and feel quite perplexed by it all. We don’t cause any harm, all we do is turn up, bowl and enjoy ourselves.

“Then you see all the damage and it makes you so upset.”