VANDALS have been caught damaging a Cardenden football pitch for the second summer in a row.

Residents say that the youths, who have destroyed parts of the fence surrounding the John Thomson pitch and set fire to parts of the astroturf, are getting away with the crime, due to a lack of clear CCTV.

David Taylor, secretary of the Cardenden community council, told the Times that the current cameras are able to pick up the activity, but are generally not sharp enough to identify the culprits.

"Kids don't want to pay to get in," he explained.

"We are trying to find a way to let them in without the need to break in, we are trying to encourage use, but we don't want it damaged."

He explained that new CCTV systems would help to alleviate fears that the pitch would be put out of action because of vandalism, just one year after it was closed due to bad flooding.

The community council has also called for portable cameras which could be placed in "hotspots" throughout the town.

In November last year the Times reported that thousands of pounds had been spent to repair the facility, after fencing panels were damaged throughout the summer and October school breaks.

At that time councillor Rosemary Liewald said she was saddened by the news due to the legacy of the pitch, which was built in Wallsgreen Park after many years of fundraising and work by The John Thomson Memorial Group.

Now she says that measures will be taken to ensure children who climb the fence can do so safely, though did raise concerns that it is being used as a meeting spot for youths, rather than somewhere to play football.

She further confirmed that some vandals had been identified thanks to the current CCTV and had been spoken to by police, though that had not put a stop to the issue.

"As a result of a panel being removed for repair there have been additional occurrences of burning," she said.

"The panel will be reinstated but will have a safety bar at the bottom which will allow kids to enter safely.

"The last thing anyone wants is a child to be injured."

She says that the 'slip bar' has to be specially made, so there are difficulties in knowing what the time frame will be to put it in place, adding that "moving forward" the CCTV cameras could also be upgraded.

"We have a situation where clearly the pitch is used by youths as a gathering point and that is the last thing anyone wanted," Rosemary continued.

"It took years through fundraising (to develop the pitch), it was a huge investment with a huge amount of pride and history attached.

"We don't want to stop kids playing there but it is not being used the way it should be."

Repairs to the damaged and burned areas of the astroturf will be made after the replacement of fence panels, with the SNP councillor, who represents Lochgelly, Cardenden and Benarty, saying there would be "no point" in doing so before the area is secured.

Fife Council's safer communities manager Dawn Jamieson said she was aware of vandalism issues at the astroturf pitch.

"Vandalism of any kind is unacceptable and a blight on our communities," she added.

"We will continue to regularly patrol this area and work closely with the police to combat this anti-social behaviour.

"We would also encourage members of the public to report any incidents to them or online at www.fife.gov.uk

"We understand Fife Sports and Leisure Trust are looking into options for CCTV in the area."