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Vandals setting off fireworks have caused severe damage to a public sports pitch near Hamilton town centre by driving a vehicle onto the playing surface and causing huge ruts and burns. Officials from South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture (SLLC) believe a car drove onto the seven-a-side pitch at Palace Grounds on Friday “with the purpose of the people in the vehicle then getting out to let off fireworks”. The pitch will now be out of use “indefinitely”, impacting hundreds of amateur players of all ages who would use the facility for training and games; with dozens of local residents commenting on the local authority’s social media post and calling the extensive damage “shocking” and “disgusting”. Huge muddy tyre tracks now cut their way across the grass pitch, part of the busy larger sports grounds complex close to the town’s landmark m ausoleum, following the incident late on Friday night. There are also burn marks on the field, understood to have been caused by vandals lighting fireworks on the pitch in the days ahead of Bonfire Night. Staff discovered the damage on Saturday morning, and both council officials and police are now appealing for information – as the local authority counts the cost of extensive repairs needed to reinstate the playing surface, and with no timescale yet having been set for work to take place. A spokesperson for SLLC told the Hamilton Advertiser: “We were extremely disappointed at the mindless vandalism that took place at one of the seven-a-side pitches at Hamilton Palace Sports Ground late on Friday night. “We understand a car has gone onto the pitch with the purpose of the people in the vehicle then getting out to let off fireworks. “This has resulted in heavy rutting in a couple of areas and some burn marks. It looks like the vehicle got stuck at some point as well, further damaging the pitch. “The selfish actions of a few individuals will have a detrimental effect on hundreds of people who regularly use the pitch; and there will also be a loss of revenue for SLLC as the pitch cannot be hired out in its present condition. “We are investigating the damage caused and will make the necessary repairs but at this stage it is too early to give timescales. “The incident has been logged as vandalism and Police Scotland are aware, and we would urge anyone with any information to get in touch with us or the police.” Police Scotland are investigating Friday’s incident after it was discovered and quickly reported to them on Saturday morning, with a spokesperson saying: “Around 1.10pm on Saturday, November 1, we received a report of damage to football pitches at a premises on Mote Hill, Hamilton. Enquiries are ongoing.” South Lanarkshire Council shared images of the damaged pitch on social media, noting: “This is a well-used football pitch that will be out of action indefinitely due to this act of vandalism.” Residents responded in droves, calling the vandals “so selfish” – highlighting the cost and time required to fix the damage and the impact on pitch users including children, and calling for new barriers to be installed to prevent unauthorised vehicle access; adding: “It only takes one person, one time to ruin a pitch for months.” *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here . And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here .
