THOUSANDS of pounds of crime-fighting cash is set to be ploughed into a community centre plagued by yobbish behaviour.

Hatch Warren Community Centre, in Longcross Lane, Hatch Warren, Basingstoke, has fallen victim to vandalism and graffiti over the last two years.

The car park and playing fields have become a haven for underage drinking, suspected drug dealing and drivers doing handbrake turns and using it as a race track.

Now fed-up staff and users are preparing to install CCTV equipment and extra security lighting in a bid to stamp out the anti-social behaviour and reduce the fear of crime.

Mark Every, chairman of Hatch Warren Community Association, told The Gazette that the incidents have happened in the evenings, mainly on Fridays and Saturdays.

"We have had smashed windows, vandalism, threatening behaviour and there have been instances when people have been out driving their cars around the playing field doing handbrake turns," he said.

"We had one occasion where one of the local youths climbed on to the community centre roof while we were there. We shouted at him and he climbed down."

Since March 2003, the community association and Basingstoke council have shelled out hundreds of pounds on repairs at the centre, as a result of the damage caused by yobs.

But Mr Every, 37, of Meadow Ridge, Hatch Warren, said he hoped the extra security equipment would help to cut these costs.

"Part of the reason for looking to get the CCTV installed is to prevent any damage, but we also hope it will allay any fears that people who are using the centre and the playing fields, or using it as a short cut, may have," he said.

At the moment, there are halogen security lights on parts of the building and some in the car park. But under the plans, four CCTV cameras will be installed, covering the main entrance and the patio area. Lighting would also be added to unlit areas, as well as those covered by CCTV.

The scheme, which is due to be completed by the end of November, has a price tag of around £7,700.

On Thursday, Hampshire Police Authority's crime prevention panel will be asked to contribute £3,000 towards the project. The remainder will be funded by the community association through its regular fundraising initiatives, including a firework extravaganza, to be held on November 6, and a beer festival.

In a report to the crime prevention panel, beat officer WPc Jo Hill said that police were called at least once a month to the centre, as a result of the ongoing problem.

"The community centre has been the victim of numerous incidents, including nuisance gatherings of youths drinking alcohol, making noise and, on occasions, causing criminal damage," she wrote in her report.

"The car park is also used by drivers treating the circuit as a racetrack and also parking up to play their car stereos loudly, causing disturbance to the surrounding houses." Mr Every said the centre was not just relying on the new security initiative to solve the problem, as it is currently piloting a youth caf and drop-in point on Fridays between 7pm and 10pm.

"There is a table tennis table, a PlayStation and a pool table," he explained.

"It gives the youngsters the chance to listen to music and hang out in a safe environment.

"Hopefully, we can get to know the youths and they can get to know us."

Since the six-week pilot started on September 17, the number of youngsters attending has increased from 13, in the first three weeks, to 30 in the fourth.

After the trial, the community association will meet to discuss the success of the pilot and decide its future.