The groundsman of a Bradford League cricket club is demanding tougher action be taken against the "scum" who have vandalised its pitch and facilities.

Damage, estimated at hundreds of pounds, has been caused after thugs smashed sight screens, broke windows, and knocked down walls at Saltaire Cricket Club.

Billy Ricketts, committee member and groundsman, said motorbikes had also been driven across the pitch in Roberts Park, Saltaire.

Mr Ricketts condemned the vandals and said a greater police presence should be provided in the area which he also claims is a haven for under-age drinking and drug taking.

"These people smashed the chains off the sight screens and dragged them across the pitch. All these problems are ongoing at the moment," he said.

"It's scum who are smashing it all up. The situation has never been resolved and the only time it will be is when the police patrol regularly down here."

The Half Moon cafe, owned by the historic club, is also boarded up because of vandalism and last weekend a stone wall was kicked down.

A statue of Sir Titus Salt, which stands in the park, has also been targeted with graffiti.

"We're trying to raise £40,000 to do the building up for community use," said Mr Ricketts, who claims the incidents are the latest in a long line of vandalism. "We want to help the community but it is this element who are stopping us doing that.

"What must people think when they come to Roberts Park? It's decaying and is being destroyed."

Last May, vandals pushed a car across the park and dumped it in the River Aire.

Inspector Nigel Cawthorne, community safety inspector, said the police were doing all they could to tackle the problems. "We've been heavily involved with the situation for a considerable period of time," said Insp Cawthorne. "We do work with the park rangers and Mr Ricketts to try to address the problem." Insp Cawthorne said he had suggested the club should install cameras to help tackle the problems.