Security measures installed to protect Cockfield sports pavilion from yobs

Improved security measures are being introduced to help protect a state-of-the-art community sports facility.
County councillors Heather Smith and Andy Turner have each used £1,480 of their neighbourhood budget to fund CCTV cameras and improve access to the Pauline Charlton Pavilion, in Cockfield. Cllr Smith said: “It is going to provide external lighting because at the moment there isn’t any.
“It is a little way off the main road in the village and it is deterring people from going there on an evening in the winter. We are keen for it to be used as much as possible.
“Security cameras will also be fitted as there have been several incidents of vandalism. We are hoping that by having CCTV it will deter this. I think it is very important we do this. It is a lovely building and resource for the village.”
During recent months, yobs have targeted the building on a number of occasions. Locks have been glued up making access impossible, graffiti has been daubed on the building and there has been a failed attempt to torch the building.
Opened in 2015, the sports pavilion cost £120,000 and was developed by Cockfield Parish Council with financial support from bodies such as Sport England.
Cllr Neville Singleton said: “It is not too far out the way but there are no houses around it. We haven’t had any serious damage, just bits of graffiti mainly. The money will be used to put security cameras right round the building and one floodlight for now. We will put lighting right round eventually. I think it will be a big deterrent.
“We put notices up about cleaning up after dogs. They were pulled down the next day. It is a recreation area and a football ground. Before there is a football match we always have to go round and make sure it is clean. Hopefully the cameras will show who is letting their dogs foul.
“The building is getting more and more used. It is used about four nights a week. It is extra safety. It will be top-of-the-range equipment. This building needs protecting.”