Pictures showed how the ground had been scorched by the fires with litter left dumped on the grounds
An amateur football club in Salford has shared its fury after a group of youths tore down a gate and broke onto the pitch before lighting a BBQ on Wednesday evening (May 27).
Salford Storm FC, an amateur club for youths based off Stott Lane, said that a group of young people, as well as some adults, gained access to the ground after ‘ripping down’ a perimeter gate. They then held a BBQ on the pitch and lit fires before dumping litter behind.
Pictures shared online showed how the ground had been scorched by the fires, with images also showing damage to the gates, which had been put in place to prevent break-ins to the site. The club said that police will be informed of the incident which was slammed as ‘completely unacceptable’.
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A status shared by the club read: “Yesterday, a group of youths along with some adults gained access to our grounds, caused damage to club property, ripped down one of our perimeter gates, held a BBQ on the pitches, lit fires, and left rubbish across the facility.
“This behaviour is completely unacceptable. This matter will be reported to the police. If this is your child, family member, or someone you know, we strongly suggest you have a serious conversation with them.
What may seem like ‘just messing around’ is actually criminal damage, trespassing, vandalism, anti-social behaviour, and unlawful access to private property.”
The statement continued: “People need to understand that this doesn’t just damage a fence or leave litter behind it directly impacts the club, our volunteer coaches, and most importantly the hundreds of young people who use these facilities every single week.
“Our coaches and volunteers work tirelessly to provide a safe, positive environment for local children to enjoy football and stay active. Every pound and every hour spent repairing damage is money and time taken away from improving opportunities for those young people.
“It’s extremely disappointing that a facility built for the community is being treated with such little respect. We ask everyone in the local area to help us protect and respect the club and the facilities that so many children and families rely on.”
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