POLICE are carrying out extra patrols at Southampton's Outdoor Sports Centre following an increase in thefts and anti-social behaviour.

Balls have been stolen, padlocks cut, windows smashed and shutters broken at the centre, which has trained athletes including Olympians Roger Black, Kriss Akabusi and Iwan Thomas.

In two other incidents kit for disabled people was stolen and an office ransacked.

The facility at Thornhill Road, Basset, which is managed by Active Nation, has cricket grounds, tennis courts, and netball courts.

Posting on social media Southampton Cops said: "Due to the increase in crime and anti-social behaviour occurring at Southampton Sports Centre, officers from our response teams and neighbourhood team have increased their patrols at this location."

One of the incidents occurred on September 21.

Speaking last month venue manager Alex Griffiths said: "We experienced a break into our main office block via a fire exit, which was forcibly opened too - with a back office in the building is completely ransacked.

"Furthermore, fire extinguishers and powder paint were set off and sprayed internally, with the clear intention of causing disruption."

Southampton Athletic Club and Southbrook Football Club, based at the site, have been hit by the vandals.

Clive Yeates, secretary of the football club, said: "We have had several breaks-in this year. Our shutters have been damaged; balls and cones have gone missing, and blue chalk powder has been sprayed inside our storage facility.

"It's tough to put a number on replacement costs, but our club managers must sometimes pay out of their own pockets to pay for damages or missing items."

The equipment stolen from the club is used to coach 20 youth teams.

Disability bikes and athletics field equipment were also stolen during the break-in at the athletic track building. The club has now cut the amount it stores at the site.

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