A SPORTS club have said they are "devastated" after arriving at their site only to find out they had been victims of anti-social criminal damage by a group of suspected youths.
Members and staff of Penrith Cricket Club, at Tynefield Park, arrived on site on July 5, to see that boulders had smashed through their outdoor seating area alongside damage to one of the premise windows, suggesting that someone may have tried to commit an act of burglary.
Bar manager, Michelle Dodd, said the incident had left the club feeling "devastated" as it has resulted in forty seats in the outdoor area having to be removed.
READ MORE: Carlisle's Model Railway line vandalised a week away from return
"It's just embarrassing as we had four different schools down yesterday, so we had to alert them to stay away from that area.
"Thankfully, the cricketers have been fantastic, members from the first and second team came down yesterday to help clean everything up," she said.
It wasn't just the damage to the seating area however, the boundary rope had also been cut along with further damage to the practice nets.
"It'll run as a loss financially for the club when we have to cover the insurance excess.
"Andy Hall, our chairman, is trying to rally a group together to help get this sorted as quick as we can - we're half way through a season, we don't want this to impact the players and members," she said.
Ms Dodd said she hopes whoever is responsible will come talk to the club.
"I'd like the parents of the child to make the kids realise that we do this for the community, we're a charity, we do it keep people off the streets.
"We're not just there for the cricketers, we're there for events as well and this could have really put us out of business but thankfully most of the damage was outside," she said.
A spokesperson from Cumbria Police said: “We share the club and community’s feelings of disappointment and frustration at this mindless act.
"The incident is being actively investigated by officers.
"There will be people out there who have information relating to this incident, including the details of those involved. We are appealing to those people to come forward and report anything you know. No matter how insignificant you think the information may seem.”
Anyone with information, CCTV or Dashcam footage is asked to contact police via www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it. You can also call 101.
To report information completely anonymously, contact independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.
READ MORE: Police called out to criminal damage and suspected burglary at cricket club
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel