MEMBERS of Loch Lomond Rugby Club have been left “frustrated and angry” after mindless vandals repeatedly targeted club facilities.

Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter:
It is understood that since the beginning of the year, the local club has had its storage container broken into, plant pots and chairs destroyed, and wheelie bins set on fire. 

The Beechwood Drive pitch has also been used as a racetrack by someone on a motorbike, which left deep track marks in the grass.

Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter:

Loch Lomond Rugby Club president Iain Norrie told the Reporter: “They took the wheelie bins from the shelter and put them under a heavy duty plastic bench and then set the bins on fire.

Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter:

“They’ve broken into a container and burnt some things in there - painting and gardening equipment. A lot of these things are donated by locals over time.

“They’ve damaged the roof by throwing bricks and tried to pull apart the flood lighting. 

“It’s overwhelming and frustrating and sometimes you just wonder  why you put in the effort. It’s just mindless vandalism.

“Ironically, it will be local youngsters, because they’ve nothing, when actually we’re trying to give them things to do. 

Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter:

“We’re trying to give them support, with the help of others, through sport. These are the people we’re trying to help.

“We’re a community organisation that’s trying to improve the facilities for locals of West Dunbartonshire. 

“We’ve spent a lot of money delivering rugby to local children for free and things like this jeopardise it. 

Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter:

“We can only afford to spend so much money on the facilities and now we’ll have to spend money on security, alarms and insurance. 

“It lowers people’s morale within the club.”

Police are asking for any witnesses to incidents of vandalism at the club to alert officers by dialling 101.