MEASURES are being put in place to tackle vandalism at a community sporting facility.

Horwich’s 3G pitch has been blighted with anti-social behaviour since it opened in April, including nets being ripped down , damage to the turf and littering.

But steps are now being taken to address the problem at the Old Station Par pitch, installed as as part of Bolton Council’s £1.5m capital funding for communities.

A council spokesman said: “Bolton Community Leisure Trust, who manage the facility, have undertaken temporary repairs to any damaged nets.

“To help manage problems with anti-social behaviour, one of the pedestrian gates has been closed so there is only one point of access and egress.

“Youth workers are scheduled to start going out in the evenings and the council’s environmental enforcement team is also visiting the facility regularly to crack down on litter.

“A CCTV system is due to be installed in coming weeks which will assist us in pursuing a prosecution if necessary.”

And the authority is calling on members of the community to call police on 101 if they see any vandalism of anti-social behaviour.

The spokesman added: “We know from officers who have spent time monitoring activity that the children using it during the day are just going on for a kick about which is keeping them healthy and active.

“However, the problems are being caused by a particular small group who are spoiling it for everybody.”

Horwich and Blackrod councillor Anne Cunliffe said the problems at the 3G pitch were part of a broader problem afflicting the area.

She said: “Horwich 3G pitch is a great investment by Bolton Council that the vast majority of residents are proud of.

“It is appreciated by the community and appreciated by many of them. But Horwich has an ongoing problem with anti-social behaviour and the 3G pitch is just part of the wider problem. 3G users and Bolton Council are the victims of the anti-social behaviour.” And she said police cuts were to blame for for an increase in crime nationally and locally.

She said: “It’s in the making of the present government — they promised to protect frontline policing but instead slashed police and PCSO numbers.

“The majority of Horwich youngsters are are very well behaved and respectful, but I request that parents check where their children are.

“Unfortunately a handful of young people are damaging this fantastic facility.”