THIS is the moment three Barrow youths fled the scene after causing a £1,000 of damage to a ‘much-loved’ sports club.

Bosses at Hawcoat Park Sports Club said they are ‘appalled’ and seeking justice after three teenage boys were caught on CCTV vandalising a new set of football goals and a van window.

The Mail:

The youths, who were estimated to be aged between 13 and 14, were caught on camera smashing the back window of the company van with a brick, causing £150 of damage.

Paul Burns, chairman of Hawcoat Park Sports Club, said the club has been hit by a spate of vandalism and anti social behaviour in recent weeks.

“This is becoming a pretty regular occurrence,” said Mr Burns.

“It’s very disappointing to see the younger generation act in this way. If they want to have a kick about on the pitch, no one would mind but it seems to transfer to vandalism.

“There doesn’t seem to be any respect for the club.

“We have to fundraise the equipment entirely ourselves and it doesn’t seem fair that we’re out of pocket because of this.”

The Mail:

Andy Woods, general manager of the club, said he was ‘completely shocked’ when he saw the extent of the damage.

“This is becoming a regular problem in the area which is costing us a lot of money,” Mr Woods said.

“It will come to the point where we don’t allow kids at all on the park which we don’t want to do.

“But it’s becoming a recurring issue which isn’t getting resolved.”

Councillor Bill McEwan slammed the vandalism as ‘outrageous.’.

He said: “I think there needs to be harsher penalties to deter young people from vandalism and other crimes.

“It sickens me to think this is a regular problem for the club when it is volunteer-run and relies so heavily on fundraising.

“We need to see harsher punishments.”

Mr Woods is calling for an apology and reimbursement of the damage costs paid by the club.

“I would like to see arrests, an apology and our money back,” he said.

“It doesn’t seem fair we have to pay the price for some kids vandalising club property.”

The Mail:

An investigation has been launched by Barrow police into the incident which took place at 4pm on Thursday August 1.

A Cumbria Police spokesman said: “From the CCTV retrieved on site, police are looking for three teen boys of average height, average build aged between 13 and 14 who are believed to be the suspects.

“One suspect has dark hair and was wearing a red top and black pants.

“The second teen was wearing a dark grey hoody with black sleeves, black pants and a dark baseball cap.

“The third was dark haired, wearing a dark t-shirt and grey joggers.”

Anyone with information should call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The Mail: