Football club issue ‘zero tolerance’ warning to trespassers – with one youth attempting ‘to start a fire on the pitch’

Cefn Druids Football Club have issued a ‘zero tolerance’ warning to trespassers after it has been targeted by vandalism which has delayed the reopening of academy training.

The club have said the academy coaching team has been working hard over the last week to get the club COVID compliant and ready to resume training, however the hard work has been “ruined by mindless and senseless vandalism by several youths”.

In a statement the club said, “This weeks announcement that the club can return to training was welcomed with cheers of delight that have now turned to tears of frustration as a number of youths, who have persistently trespassed onto the clubs ground, have caused thousands of pounds of damage to academy equipment. Some of the trespassers have even posted videos and photos via their own social media profiles whilst on the ground. North Wales Police now have the videos and photos and will be following it up.”

The club say CCTV footage shows a number of the youths walking around the ground trying the doors of the club house, catering cabin and equipment container. A number of items have been damaged and may need replacing at a cost of thousands of pounds.

No pictures of footage has been released as of yet.

Over the weekend, several youths were caught inside the grounds and the police were called. The club said, “Shockingly, one of the youths tried to start a fire on the pitch. North Wales Police now have the CCTV images and the individuals photos as well as the the footage on social media.”

“None of the people caught yesterday were from Cefn Mawr but from the surrounding area” said Druids Chairman Des Williams

“The damage means a delay in restarting the academy training sessions until the damage has been repaired. With the new government guidelines in place, Cefn Druids must abide to COVID regulations which means a deep clean of the whole facility daily and we must emphasise the importance of people staying away and not entering the facility.”

“It’s a shame that a minority, without a care in the world, are happy to ruin it for others. Anyone caught trespassing on the ground will have criminal charges brought against them and prosecuted.”