Southampton Athletic Club struggling after spate of vandalism

Renovated cabins, equipment, walls, and personal items have been stolen or destroyed. 

The club, which uses Southampton Outdoor Sports Centre as a training ground, has been left to pick up the cost.

Tracey Jones, the club's chairperson, said the problem is getting worse and seems to be a monthly occurrence.

Cabin door found damaged by Southampton Athletic Club (Image: Southampton Athletic Club)

READ MORE HERE: Southampton Outdoor Sports Centre hit by vandals amid break-ins

She said: "At one point last summer, it was almost every weekend we were broken into, and everything we did to increase the security of our cabins was broken and left on the floor for us to see."

She added: "Our cabins were renovated and repaired to keep them usable while we waited for the sports centre redevelopment, but the constant vandalism has made them unusable. 

"It's hard to leave any stock in our cabins overnight, and it makes hosting competitions very complex and difficult. 

"Aso, providing club kit to members is almost impossible. It's just making everything harder."

Paint was splashed over club's equipment's (Image: Tracy Jones)

Tracy claims the damage amounted to more than £1,000. 

She added: "The costs to the club in the theft and damage to our refurbished cabins can be counted, but the damage in terms of morale among club members and volunteers is also high." 

Club members have been distressed by the frequency of the incidences, and they have been looking for an alternative storage location. 

Active Nation, which runs the centre, has secured alternative storage for some of the club's equipment but Tracy says it is still not safe enough.

Cabin walls were found damaged (Image: Tracy Jones)

On occasions, Southampton City Council has also stepped in to repair one of the cabins.

However, that too has been further damaged and is now unusable.

Asked whether the club could afford this, Tracy said "no".

She added: "We are now at the stage where we have emptied the cabins as much as possible and are waiting patiently for some news of the redevelopment and what increased security will be provided."

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