Published: Wednesday, 17th June, 2009 12:00pm

Moves should curb vandal attacks

by Jim Stark

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THERE are moves in the pipeline which should greatly reduce the problems of vandalism at Kelty Hearts football ground in the village.

This year the Hearts management committee has complained that they were suffering from a number of problems caused by visitors late at night.

The incidents included advertising boards being destroyed, a television aerial being destroyed, fencing being pulled down and petrol being sprayed on the football pitch.

There was, said the committee, clear evidence that the ground was being used for habitual under-age drinking.

In recent weeks the area of Central Park has been targeted as a hot spot by police and this has had a major effect on the problems being experienced by the club, say the police.

And Lochs councillor Alex Rowley said this week that several initiatives were ongoing which would have a major impact on the problems.

He told the Times, 'The problems at the Hearts ground have been occurring over quite a period of time.

'The hotspot initiative allied to use of a mobile CCTV camera unit in the vicinity of the park has made a significant difference.

'The problem is that the ground is in real terms very open and clearly a high fence would go a long way to sorting out the problems. The club have been investigating the erection of a fence around the park and are currently seeking grants to carry out the work which I understand could amount to £25,000.

'If the club can get the financial package in place the new fencing should be up by late summer'.

But the councillor said that this was only one strand to the offensive on vandalism. He added, 'The club is also looking at how it can commit itself to community groups.

'They are hoping to set up formal arrangements with other community groups and try to get as many young people involved in using the facilities as possible.

'All this will make the club an even bigger part of the community and hopefully the people who have been causing the problems would recognise this factor.'

The police are continuing to monitor the situation. Said Community Inspector Ken Stickings, 'We have previously dealt with problems at Kelty Hearts Football ground after receiving complaints from the club about youths gathering there and drinking alcohol. Damage was caused to the ground itself as well as empty bottles being left on the field of play.

'We initially targeted the area with extra foot patrols, the use of the mobile CCTV vehicle in that area and we liaised very closely with George McTrusty, a member of the football club committee and the local councillors. My local community officer PC Gary Chrystal carried out a site visit with George and our Force Architectural Liaison Officer Stuart Ward to discuss ways the club could make the ground more secure etc. A report was compiled and submitted to the club for their information.

'Over the last four months, there have been four calls to the police reporting youths playing football within the ground and drinking, the last one being on 29th May. They had dispersed prior to police arrival on each occasion. We will continue to give the area attention and attend to any reports from members of the community in that area'.