15/02/06 - Cllr Tomlinson, Security At Abbey Meads School

A community group is paying a private security firm to protect two football pitches from misuse.

Abbey Meads Community Facilities Management Sub-Committee wants to stop youths scaling a 10ft fence to use the artificial pitch in the grounds of Abbey Meads Community Primary School.

Pupils use the pitches during and after school for five-a-side matches while other community groups use it at weekends and in the evenings.

But they have become a target for trespassers who damage them because they often wear the wrong shoes are damaging the expensive coating.

The group says the facilities are being spoilt for the groups who pay to use them.

The pitches are run by the sub-committee made up of school governors and councillors in Abbey Meads which also runs community facilities in the school. In the last nine days the group has had to pay out 750 for calling out the security company.

Police have also attended a number of times.

Colin Shiner, chairman of the committee and a Blunsdon Parish councillor, said the problem was a huge frustration to the community.

He said: "These people are damaging the facilities and also putting themselves at risk by scaling this huge fence.

"We don't know if we would be liable if someone fell off it.

"It tends to be a different group of youths all the time, but the problem gets worse at half-term."

The security guards are called out when a problem is reported and have been effective at scaring off the unwelcome youths.

"We have tried to inform the police, on numerous occasion, and sometimes they have turned up," said Mr Shiner.

Consideration is being given to opening up the pitches to the youths, which would see them pay a nominal charge for using it, but there are doubts whether this would work.

Coun Justin Tomlinson, (Con, Abbey Meads) said: "The actions of a few youths could ruin these excellent local community facilities.

"These few individuals should be named so that their parents can take the appropriate action."

Community beat Sgt Robin Colbourne of Swindon police confirmed that officers had been called out to the pitches.

He said: "I would urge people living in the area to call us as soon as they see youths climbing the fences so that we can respond.

"But I also appeal to parents and the youths to consider their actions."

Swindon Advertiser 15/02/06

Cllr Justin Tomlinson, "In addition I have written to the Education department to help speed the process of additional fencing for the Abbey Meads school, which we believe will make a huge impact on the security of the site."