Vandals set light to Garvagh pitch

Vandals set a bin on fire at the multi-use sports area at Bridge Street car park in the town on Thursday. The blazing bin then ignited the artificial surface of the pitch, scorching a large area of it.

In a separate incident, the reinforced wire was pulled away from the perimeter and damage was caused to a lock.

Police believe the vandals tried to force the lock to gain access to the pitch but then resorted to ripping down the wire fencing.

PSNI Community Constable Andrew Young said: "We are keen for the community to come forward to help us identify the culprits.

"They are just spoiling this area which is an area that the majority of people in Garvagh use and enjoy."

Coleraine Borough Council runs the multi-use sports area and Community Sports Development Officer Stephen McCartney said: "We are extremely disappointed that this facility has been vandalised.

"This is a relatively new facility in Garvagh and has been put to great use, particularly by the young people on a daily basis.

"It's a great facility for the people of Garvagh to have but now that the fire has damaged the artificial surface, we will have to have a slice of it cut out and replaced.

"This will not only cause great inconvenience to the people who use the facility but will also be a costly exercise."