A TOWN councillor has condemned the mindless vandalism and thefts from premises in Bradford on Avon’s Victory Field recreation ground.

In recent weeks, vandals – who are believed to be teenagers and young adults – have targeted the popular playing fields near the River Avon and the Barton Farm Country Park.

On two separate evenings on Friday, December 15 and Sunday, December 17, padlocks and doors at the town’s pavilion and clubhouse in Victory Field were damaged and equipment stolen. Police are investigating the two incidents, which have both been reported.

In the first incident, the Pavilion was vandalised. The padlocks on the front door had been smashed off and the padlock on the lawn mower store had also been broken and the door forced open.

Although nothing was taken, the roller shutters on the doors were also damaged. Police are investigating the incident as an attempted burglary.

In the second incident, town wardens found one of the litter bins had been thrown on Victory Field. In addition, a door was broken and the inner liner ripped apart. Some stones from the boundary wall had also been broken off and thrown onto the playing field.

On the same evening, at around 8.40pm, someone also broke into the Clubhouse and stole a number of old tennis balls.

Cllr Dominic Newton, leader of Bradford on Avon Town Council, said: “Bradford on Avon is blessed with a low crime-rate and is a safe community but that doesn’t mean we are immune to problems that are more obvious in other towns, be that vandalism, substance abuse, or other types of anti-social and criminal behaviour.

“We are also concerned that the ability of Wiltshire Police to react to reported incidents is severely hampered by budget constraints under which the police service operates, with resources focused outside of the town.

“As a town council, we are investing in preventative services which will aim to target young people at risk of offending behaviour, as well as wider youth issues.

“Vandalism and damage to town council property means having to spend money on repairing things, rather than on the places and services that will benefit the town.

“It is very the definition of anti-social, and it is very disappointing that individuals act in this way rather than playing a positive and useful role in our community.”