Bollards to put the brakes on joyriders churning up pitches

THOUSANDS of pounds is to be spent installing concrete bollards around playing fields to stop joyriders ripping up the pitches.

The extreme measures have been ordered for outside the Jack Kane Centre, on Niddrie Mains Road, after the playing fields were left damaged by joyriders six times in as many weeks.

The latest incident happened in the early hours of Saturday morning, when joyriders tore through the fields in a Honda Civic and carved deep tyre tracks into the turf. The vandals then set fire to the car and abandoned it in the middle of the field.

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The car was still in the field when Moray House RFC arrived for training on Saturday morning to find their pitch in tatters.

Coach Neil Wood said: "It's a pretty common occurrence down there so we try not to let it bother us.

"It's a pity, though, because the joyriders made a real mess of the pitch this time.

"From the state of it, it looks like they had been careering round there for quite a long time so you wonder where the police were.

"It's more of an inconvenience than anything because once the pitch gets rutted like that, and then the cold weather sets in it makes it unplayable but if you play down there you have to get used to it.

"There's a few cars have been dumped there already this year."

Following the repeated incidents, Edinburgh Leisure has now ordered ten large concrete bollards to be installed around the pitches, at a cost of 3550, to prevent vehicles gaining access to the field. A spokesman for Edinburgh Leisure said: "Six of the pitches at the Jack Kane Centre have been damaged and rendered temporarily unplayable due to cars being driven through the surrounding fences and on to the pitches.

"Our records show that six such incidents have taken place so far this year.

"Edinburgh Leisure are taking all possible measures to prevent more incidents of this nature taking place."

Police said they were aware of the ongoing issues in the area, and have pledged to investigate every incident thoroughly.

A police spokeswoman said: "This behaviour will not be tolerated as it disrupts training for sports teams using the centre, and is also a blight on the local community.

"Every time there is a report of this kind of incident, a full investigation is carried out, and every effort is made to trace those responsible.

"Success in preventing this kind of crime depends upon the cooperation of the local community, and for this reason we would appeal for anyone with any information about any anti-social behaviour or crime in their area to contact police.

"All information will be treated confidentially, and will be acted upon."