Vandals destroyed a community cricket pitch in Norbury Park, leaving the playing surface unusable after hazardous debris was cleared by council parks staff. Local residents and community groups report repeated vandalism, damaged noticeboards, and routine littering after weekend games, expressing frustration and distress. Friends of Norbury Park and Norbury Village Green Residents' Association run regular litter picks and assist council contractors to maintain park cleanliness. Croydon Council holds responsibility for the pitch's upkeep and repair, confirms the area cannot currently be used, and says it will work with police and urges anyone with information to come forward.
Jenni Rodgers, leader of the group Friends of Norbury Park, said: "We will have to wait for a new pitch to be put down. I am just sick of this actual lack of respect." A Croydon Council spokesperson said: "Our parks team have made the area safe by removing the hazardous debris, but unfortunately, the pitch cannot be currently used. We will work with the police and encourage anyone with information to contact them."
Both Ms Rodgers and Deborah Bestwick, of Norbury Village Green Residents' Association, told the LDRS that litter is often scattered across the pitch after weekend games and "we have just begun to get really sick of it". The Friends group regularly carries out litter picks around the park and, together with the council's contractors, helps keep it clean. Referring to the vandalism, Ms Bestwick said: "All of the organisations are really distressed. It is massively destructive."
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