Vandals attack pavilion again

5:16pm Thursday 7th August 2008

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A Bicester pavilion has been vandalised for the third time after a gang of youths set fire to plastic pipes and destroyed two CCTV cameras.

The group of eight teenagers went on the rampage at Sunderland Drive pavilion last month.

Bicester Town Council's outdoor sports facilities officer Colin Pickup said: "I watched the CCTV footage and saw a gang of youngsters littering the pavilion with smashed plastic pieces of the goal. They then lit the plastic pipes and proceeded to drip molten plastic on the handrails and brickwork of the site."

The gang then smeared molten plastic across the lenses of two of the seven CCTV cameras.

Mr Pickup added: "This is the first major case we have had since the cameras were fitted in August last year.

"It really disappoints me when I turn up on site and see that the building has been damaged or litter left all over the field."

The new extension of the pavilion was done two years ago. It is used by Highfield Juniors Football Club.

Mr Pickup said: "I am very proud of the facilities we supply to the public."

Evidence from the CCTV cameras has been passed to the police. Extra high visibility patrols by PCSOs are also being carried out in the area during the evenings.