"Every day we seem to be repairing something": Helston Rugby Club's battle against vandalism and abuse

Helston Rugby Club has spoken to Nub News about their battle with anti-social behaviour which is bringing them to breaking point.

The Rugby Club, which hosts 'Helston's biggest beer garden', says they have been fighting against vandalism and abuse on an almost weekly basis.

Jason Bardell, Chairman of the club, told Nub News:

"We are continually fighting against attacks from the public and local youth. Every day we seem to be repairing something."

The club has recently upgraded their CCTV in the hope that they will deter future incidents from happening.

At the end of May, the club had a granite rock thrown through their kitchen window which Jason says could have caused serious injury to him or his team.

Jason said: "We will press charges for everyone identified causing damage, as was the case with the local man that caused considerable damage by throwing a granite rock through a window which could have caused serious harm had it hit anyone.

"As Chairman, I have spent many hours at the club with my boys who carry out many of the jobs with me including the cleaning and could have easily been behind this blind at the time.

"The law does not support the victims and having had to press for the man to be charged when he is clearly visible on CCTV and admitted it is incredible.

"Furthermore, we're now faced with having to pursue a civil claim against him as he is allowed to carry out such a horrid act and not pay for the damage he caused."

The club doesn't feel they are being targeted and believe this is a Helston-wide problem, Jason believes the police could be doing more.

"The police really need to be more firm and take more action without us having to beg for them to do something," he told us.

At the end of last month, the club spoke out about the mass amount of litter that had been left on their grounds - including glass smashed on the club patio.

The club's beer garden reopened on 4th July with new social distancing measures.