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Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Teenagers fighting with hammers and knives on cricket pitch forces club to build protective fence
A cricket club plagued by groups of teenagers fighting with hammers and knives on its pitch has been forced to build a fence around its ground. Maghull Cricket Club in Merseyside has reported 25 incidents to police of people harassing players, setting off fireworks and vandalising equipment since July 2024. Workers have said the years of 'disgraceful incidents' have left children training at the club in tears. In order to block further disruption from rowdy teens, they now plan to hold a fundraiser to build a fence around to grounds. In early May, a fight broke out between teenagers on a cricket pitch where about 50 children aged nine to 13 were waiting to play. The session had to be called off to rush the children back to safety, according to the club's Facebook page. The post said: 'Sadly, we must report to the people of Maghull another in a long list of disgraceful incidents that have blighted our club for several years. 'Tonight, during a junior section practice evening, a number of youths have congregated on our pitch and engaged in organised fighting, delaying the start of the session. 'A short while later, more youths appeared, fighting and threatening each other with hammers, knives, a garden spade and a stump stolen from our practice area.' Speaking to the BBC, the chairman of the club, Adam Lloyd, said the fight had been 'traumatising' for those witnessing it and that the club had 'no option' but to build the fence. He said 'The kids had never seen anything like it before, some were crying,' he said. He described it as a family club, saying multiple generations of his family have been involved and that they all love being part of it. At a community meeting organised by the club, it was shared that the violence had left children shaken and led some parents to think about not bringing their kids back to training due to safety concerns. According to the Telegraph, a mother who witnessed the fight described it as 'truly terrifying', adding: 'I would like to just say a massive thank you to the adults, especially the men/fathers, involved with the club, who quickly stepped in ushering the children to safety and stepping in bravely to defend them if needed. 'You didn't hesitate to take action and it didn't go unnoticed.' Merseyside Police confirmed a 14-year-old boy from Maghull was arrested on suspicion of fighting, carrying a weapon in public, and having a Class B drug and has now been released while the investigation continues. A 17-year-old boy from Kirkby also came in for a voluntary interview about having cannabis and a public order offence. The police investigation is still ongoing. Labour MP for Sefton Central, Bill Esterson, called the fight a 'real wake-up call' and said it was 'disturbing and hugely upsetting' for the children who were there to play cricket. He called for intervention and more youth activities, suggesting that 'maybe some of them can play cricket and football instead of threatening and fighting each other.'
BBC News
25-05-2025
- BBC News
Maghull cricket club to put up fence after young people fight on pitch
A cricket club plagued by anti-social behaviour has said the only way to prevent young people from causing trouble on its pitch is to build a large fence around the 25 police reports of people harassing players, setting of fireworks and vandalising equipment have been made at Maghull Cricket Club, near Liverpool, since July last year An incident earlier this month saw young people fighting on the cricket field, some armed with hammers, during a junior coaching chairman Adam Lloyd said there was "no option" but to build a fence and block access to the ground. A 14-year-old boy from Maghull was arrested on suspicion of affray and possessing class B drug cannabis and a weapon in a public place after the fight on 2 May. Merseyside Police said he had been released under investigation, while a 17-year-old had also been questioned over the fracas. A community meeting organised by the club heard how the violence had upset children and prompted some parents to consider not returning to training sessions over safety Lloyd said witnessing the fight had been "traumatising". "The kids had never seen anything like it before, some were crying", he said, adding the violence "had to stop".He said the club would seek funding to help with costs of building the fence, but he said he would much rather youngsters took an interest in the sport. The father-of-two said, "It's a family club – when I was a kid my Dad dragged me along to the cricket – his Dad was the same. I've got my kids playing cricket – we are all invested in this club because we love doing it." Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell went to the club meeting and said building the fence would help "design out crime".She said her office could also look at helping with the cost, but added there was a wider issue to address about engaging with the young people responsible for the anti-social behaviour. 'Threatening' Labour MP for Sefton Central Bill Esterson said the fight was a "real wake-up call", which was "disturbing and hugely upsetting for the children playing cricket". He said: "Thankfully the adults intervened and prevented something much worse from happening. "Goodness knows what would have happened if people had used the weapons they were carrying."The MP said cricket had been "a big part of his life", and he had seen the joy it could bring. He called for an intervention and more activities for young people, and said "maybe some of them can play cricket and football instead of threatening and fighting each other".Spurrell said: "A lot of these kids get pulled into this lifestyle and they are vulnerable themselves so how are we intervening? "We need to identify them, but then find out why are they getting involved in this activity and then can we get them involved in something more constructive." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
