01-08-2025
'Offensive damage' caused to village football club's pitches
A grassroots village football club has said that it is 'disappointed' after 'offensive damage' was found on its pitches.
Warwick Wanderers AFC, which are based Warwick Bridge's Downagate, believe that the 'offensive damage' was caused between Saturday, July 26 and Wednesday, July 30.
The club also believe that the damage was caused by an 'electric pedal bike' after they received reports of an individual riding on the club's pitches in recent weeks.
The damage comes after the club recently renovated two of its pitches at a 'cost of £12,000'.
The club is now in the process of reviewing CCTV footage captured by the Downagate Community Centre and plans to pass relevant information on to Cumbria Police.
In a statement, the club called the damage 'completely unacceptable' and 'disgusting'.
They said: "We have some really disappointing news to share with regarding offensive damage found on the pitches at Downagate yesterday.
"Between Saturday, July 26 and Wednesday, July 30 an unknown person has caused damage to two of our pitches, which were recently renovated at a cost of £12,000 during which an offensive drawing has been gouged into the grass.
"This is not only completely unacceptable on a damage point of view but also will impact in the hundreds of young children who will see this, which is disgusting.
"It is believed the damage may have been caused by an electric pedal bike as reports have been received of an individual riding on the pitches over the last couple of weeks.
"Enquiries are now ongoing with Downagate Community Centre to view the CCTV, which covers the pitches, and any individual seen to cause damage will have their details passed to Police for further action to be taken.
"For the benefit of any doubt, the pitches at Downagate are for footballing purposes or for events agreed with Downagate Community Centre, they are not for the use of anything that causes damage."
Cumbria Police were contacted by the News & Star for comment
