VANDALS have repeatedly targeted Southampton's Outdoor Sports Centre - with kit for disabled people stolen and an office ransacked.

Balls have been stolen, padlocks cut, windows smashed and shutters broken at the centre that once trained Olympians Roger Black, Kriss Akabusi and Iwan Thomas.Daily Echo: Training grounds at Southampton Outdoor Sports Centre in Thornhill Training grounds at Southampton Outdoor Sports Centre in Thornhill (Image: Newsquest)

The facility is managed by Active Nation and has cricket grounds, tennis courts, and netball courts.

 

Venue manager Alex Griffiths said: "Our shutters to our main office were prised open and windows smashed to gain entry. 

"(On September 21), we experienced a break into our main office block via a fire exit, which was forcibly opened too - with a back office in the building is completely ransacked.

"Furthermore, fire extinguishers and powder paint were set off and sprayed internally, with the clear intention of causing disruption."Daily Echo: Doors were found damaged at Southampton Outdoor Sports Centre Doors were found damaged at Southampton Outdoor Sports Centre (Image: Newsquest)

 

Southampton Athletic Club and Southbrook Football Club, based at the site, have been hit by the vandals.

Clive Yeates, the Secretary of Southbrook Football Club, also voiced his concerns after its storage cabins were damaged over the summer.

He said: "We have had several breaks-in this year. 

"Our shutters have been damaged; balls and cones have gone missing, and blue chalk powder has been sprayed inside our storage facility.

"It's tough to put a number on replacement costs, but our club managers must sometimes pay out of their own pockets to pay for damages or missing items."Daily Echo: Equipments were reported missing at the Outdoor Sports Centre Equipments were reported missing at the Outdoor Sports Centre (Image: Newsquest)

The equipment stolen from the club is used to coach 20 youth teams.

Disability bikes and athletics field equipment were also stolen during the break-in at the athletic track building.

The club has now cut the amount it stores at the site.Daily Echo: Southbrook Football Club storage site Southbrook Football Club storage site (Image: Newsquest)

 

Hampshire Constabulary said it received a report of a burglary between 10pm on Tuesday, September 20 and 8.50am the following morning.

A spokesperson for the force said: "Entry was gained via the rear door of the premises – but it is unknown if anything has been stolen." 

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call 101, quoting reference 44220384126.

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