Joyriders driving over Oswestry cricket pitch

Joyriders have been driving cars over the pitch at Oswestry's Cricket Club, police said today and they warned those responsible they risked having their vehicles seized.

Oswestry Cricket Club officials contacted police after a number of recent incidents where people have driven cars on the pitch causing damage to the playing area.

Members are worried the wicket covers could be damaged, costing several thousand pounds to replace.

Community Support Officer Peter Roberts, from the Oswestry Town West Local Policing Team, said today: "There is growing concern that anti-social behaviour by a small group of drivers will result in serious damage to the playing area and associated equipment. Vehicles will be seized if these drivers persist."

He said the police had already issued a number of warnings under Section 59 of the Police Reform Act, which ultimately could result in offenders' cars being seized and impounded.

"The club is understandably concerned this activity is curbed, especially as the covers on the pitch could easily be broken.

"There have been three or four incidents of cars on the pitch, the latest saw a vehicle almost run over the covers and caused quite a mess of the outfield."

Mr Gwilym Owen club president, said drivers were in danger of ruining the wicket, which would stop the club playing.

"We have only just bought new covers and they would cost thousands of pounds to replace," he said.

CSO Roberts added that the matter was a priority for the Local Policing Team and urged anyone spotting vehicles on the pitch area to record their registration numbers and report them to Oswestry police station.