Photos show mess at Derbyshire football pitch trashed by travellers – including broken furniture and tyre marks as plans for the future of the site discussed

Travellers who left the football field off The Avenue in Wingerworth late on Saturday, September 5, trashed the sports grounds with human waste, litter and fly-tipped household items scattered around.

The group further damaged the pitch leaving burnt-out grass patches and tyre marks, forcing the Wingerworth Junior Sports Association to carry out expensive restoration works with a fundraiser launched to cover the costs.

Derbyshire Constabulary have confirmed that so far no arrests have been made in connection with the damage.

Councillor Ross Shipman, North East Derbyshire District Council member for Tupton, said a meeting had been arranged for next week to discuss the future of the site and how to prevent a repeat of what has happened.

Cllr Shipman said he wanted to see a height barrier installed to prevent unauthorised vehicles accessing the football pitches and a secure lock box around the padlocks on the gates, making it much harder for anyone to gain unauthorised access.

He raised the possibility of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) covering The Avenue and other vulnerable sites across the district so that enforcement officers and police have appropriate powers to respond to prohibited behaviour.

He added: “And finally, accountability. Where there is evidence that criminal offences or regulatory offences have been committed, I want those matters properly investigated by the relevant authorities, with appropriate enforcement or prosecution pursued where the available evidence and applicable legal tests support it.

"Where environmental or public health legislation may have been breached, I want the relevant enforcement bodies to investigate and assess the evidence promptly and take whatever lawful action is appropriate.

"This isn’t about prejudging the outcome of any investigation or court proceedings. It is about making sure that there is sufficient evidence gathered of any offences, so the appropriate authorities can take action and don’t simply allow matters to go unanswered.

"The community shouldn’t be left to pick up the pieces — financially or physically — after incidents like this. The people responsible for offences need to be held to account.

The priority now is getting The Avenue cleaned up, getting the football pitches playable again, the Washlands an enjoyable space again and making sure the lessons from this incident are actually acted upon.”

The Derbyshire Times asked Derbyshire police why action was not taken against individuals from the traveller community causing criminal damage.

A spokesperson said: “No arrests have been made at this time. That does not mean that no arrests will be made. The comment you have asked for in relation to a particular community isn't something we would provide.”