Blantyre Vics put £100 bounty on teen vandals’ heads

Oct 27 2011 by Chris Clements, Hamilton Advertiser

BLANTYRE VICS have put up a reward to help nail a group of teenage vandals who have caused misery at the junior football club.

Members are sick of the same three or four youths – believed to come from Springwells – vandalising cars and the social club’s roof.

The committee are also facing a £2000 bill due to flooding damage which was caused by the roof vandalism.

Police have already been at the club’s Castle Park ground in Forrest Street, after receiving a number of reports over recent months of vandalism and damage.

The teenage group are believed to be around 14 or 15 years old, and often verbally abuse committee when confronted.

Now the club are taking matters into their own hands after reaching the end of their patience.

Secretary Alan McDade told the Advertiser that the club has put up a reward of £100 for information leading to a prosecution of the vandals.

“The last incident happened two weekends ago, but this has been going on for months.

“We know for a fact that it is the same three or four schoolboys who are causing the problems at the club every time.

“Their most common damage is to dig a pipe into the turf on the pitch, then pulled it up and flick it.

“The turf inside the pipe then comes out like a bullet and hits the side of the social club wall, and the cars parked nearby.

“I’m forever chasing them off the park, but I get a mouthful of abuse from them.

“Last weekend was the final straw and we have already advised police about it. Officers are now on the lookout for them and hopefully they will soon be caught.

“The worst part was that they got up on to the roof of the social club a couple of weeks ago, and ripped away at guttering causing damage.

“After the heavy rains last week, all the water seeped inside and caused a lot of damage to the ceiling and seating.

“It’s going to cost us about £2000, and Blantyre Vics are in no position to spend that kind of money.”

He continued: “It tends to happen when we’re not around, usually after the schools come out or at the weekend.

“It’s pure vandalism. I think they do it because we keep telling them to stop playing on the pitch.”

Mr McDade added: “The committee has been in contact with the police, and Vics also want to put up a £100 bounty for the successful prosecution of the lads.

“If members of the public will pass on information to police or the club committee that leads to them being caught and prosecuted, then the money will be paid.”

Residents of nearby Devlin Grove also complained of antisocial behaviour in the area, and joined calls for tenants to contact police about the incidents.

Sergeant Elaine Sutherland, of Blantyre Community Policing Team, said that officers were aware of incidents at Castle Park and were in the process of dealing with the problem.

“As a community policing team, we want to be made aware of any incidents involving disorder or vandalism in the area,” she said.

“It is our priority to impact on any antisocial behaviour and we would urge residents to contact us.”

If anyone has any information on the incident, they should contact Blantyre Police on 01698 202501.

Alternatively people with information of any of the incidents can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where anonymity and confidentiality can be maintained.