Ross Sports Club, at Wilton, Ross-on-Wye, has appealed to West Mercia Police for more patrols in the area, taking in the Sports Centre.

They said that there have been several incidents of vandalism recently. These include fires being started in Wilton car park and damage to the roof of the building.

The Club tweeted: “Any chance of more patrols @WMerciaPolice @WestMerciaPCC? We can’t afford anymore damage to the Sports Centre. It’s the same every evening, any chance of helping us? Fires started last week in Wilton car park. Damage to the roof, it’s always the same cars.”

A spokesperson for the Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team told the Ross Gazette that they have been patrolling the Sports Centre regularly since the original reports of damage were received.

She added: “We will continue to monitor the area. Our Business and rural crime officer along with our Crime Prevention Advisor have visited the site and given advice also.

“Hopefully the installation of the new barrier will prevent vehicular access on an evening, however pedestrian access can still be gained. With this in mind our advice would be the installation of CCTV in the area to catch the culprits in the act.”