Melton Mowbray Town Estate

From the Melton Times

Vandals caused several thousand pounds of damage at the weekend after setting fire to the football pavilion in Melton's Egerton Park.

Fire crews were called out at about 4am on Saturday to fight the blaze, which completely destroyed the roof of the pavilion's kitchen and also damaged the toilets.

Cyril Sissons, chairman of Welby Lane Football Club, said "I'm sickened by it. As soon as the Town Estate called me about it on Saturday morning I thought 'well, here we go again.'

"There's been problems with vandalism in the past but this is the first time we've had someone try to set fire to the place. But I knew it was only a matter of time."

Andrew Cooper, town bailiff, said the Town Estate was carrying out an assessment to establish the extent of the damage, but the venue was insured.

He said: "It's extremely frustrating when people want to try to destroy a facility which is used by the whole community."

Sgt Kam Mistry, of Melton police said: "Officers were called to a fire at the pavilion on Egerton Park at around 4.15am on Saturday.

"An investigation into the incident is under way in conjunction with Leicestershire Fire Service and a forensic examination of the scene has been carried out to determine the cause of the blaze.

"We are appealing to anyone who has any information to please come forward.

"Egerton Park is popular with dog walkers and we are urging anyone who was in the area and recalls seeing anything suspicious to please get in touch. Even small details could prove important to the investigation."

Anyone with information should call Melton police on (0116) 222 2222, or call Crimestoppers' free and anonymous hotline on 0800 555 111.