YOBS who caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to work vehicles and Lydney local sports clubs, “damaged the whole community,” said the town’s mayor.

The mayor of Lydney claims that “the whole community is damaged” by the actions of vandals who smashed vehicle windows at the town’s recreation ground and by breaks-ins at sporting facilities last week.

Machinery belonging to DW Clark Drainage Ltd was all damaged overnight on Wednesday (August 15). The company is carrying out the first phase of work at Lydney Recreation Trust grounds, to provide new drainage so that the site can be utilised all year round.

The cricket club and tennis club building were broken into and items damaged and stolen on the same night.

“We’re all very disappointed that this has happened when we are trying to improve facilities for the sports club,” Cllr Berryman added. “Tennis, cricket and football are important to the town and offer valuable activities. This burglary and vandalism is holding things up and damages the whole community. It reflects badly on us all and it’s not what Lydney is about. We think of it as a quiet, safe place to live.”

Brian Healey, administrator for the contractors carrying out work on behalf of Lydney Town Council, said: “This mindless vandalism will cost around £3,000 to repair as well as setting our timings back for completing the project.

“The vandals broke into our compound by rocking the two metre tall fence panels until they opened, and then wilfully smashed the glass on virtually every window, about 15 in total, in our three tractors and our three tonne tracked excavator. It must have happened between 6pm on Thursday (August 16) and 8.30am on Friday (August 17).

“We work nationwide and this is the first time in 10 years or more that we’ve experienced vandalism. We would have expected it in London or central Birmingham but not here.

“It’s extremely frustrating and annoying. I would say it was bored youths but they don’t see the consequences of their actions. What if it was their home that had bricks put through the windows or their vehicles put out of action if they’re old enough to drive? I hope someone will come forward with information.

“The police have been very helpful and the town council have been very supportive and we’d like to thank them for their help.

“While the damage is covered by our insurance, we have to bear the cost of the lost time while these vehicles are repaired.”

A spokesperson for Gloucestershire Police said: “A green John Deere 6320 tractor, yellow Renault Caras tractor, red Renault 651 tractor and orange Kubota tracked excavator KX713 all had windows and side windows smashed while parked up behind a fenced compound. Anyone with information should call 101 and quote incident 106 of August 16.

“We were called at 10am on Thursday to reports of a burglary at Lydney Cricket Club on Swan Road, which is believed to have taken place at some point between 3pm on Wednesday and 9.45am on Thursday.

“Some of the club’s machinery was damaged and alcohol was stolen.

“Any witnesses are asked to call 101 with incident number 124 of 16 August.

“We were then called at just after 6pm to reports of a burglary at Lydney Tennis Club on Hams Road. It’s believed that the burglary took place at some point between 8.30pm on Wednesday and 9.30am on Thursday.

“A key safe was taken and witnesses are asked to quote incident number 368 of 16 August.

“Appeals are still active in all three cases and no arrests have yet been made.”