The artificial cricket green is now unusable, and it is unclear when it will be restored.
Local residents notified Croydon Council and police of the damage on Tuesday. While the local authority acted quickly to clear the smashed concrete and ruined Astroturf, concerns remain about a trend of vandalism at the park.
Jenni Rodgers, leader of Friends of Norbury Park, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “We will have to wait for a new pitch to be put down now. I am just sick of this actual lack of respect for it.”
Regular park user, John Kuhrt, took to Facebook to describe the damage as “a proper demolition job” rather than just a “mindless bit of vandalism.”
Jenni added the Friends group may use funds from a recent picnic to improve security at the park: “We raised some money at a picnic in the park, and I think we’ll have to spend it on a CCTV camera on the side of my house that overlooks the pitch.”
Reflecting on previous incidents, she added: “It does seem like every time we do something, there is just sort of vandalism in response. We put up two notice boards and they were vandalised.”
Both Jenni and Deborah Bestwick, chair of Norbury Village Green Residents’ Association, told the LDRS that the pitch’s current users often leave litter scattered across it after weekend games, reflecting a wider disregard for the pitch. “The guys who use the pitch continue to leave their rubbish behind after using it. We have just begun to get really sick of it,” she added.
The Friends group regularly carries out litter picks around the park and, together with the council’s contractors, helps keep it clean. They are part of a wider network of Norbury community groups, all of whom have expressed dismay at the recent vandalism. Deborah told the LDRS: “All of the organisations are really distressed. It is massively destructive”
Local MP Steve Reed said residents had contacted him to express concern about the “appalling vandalism” and confirmed he had asked Croydon Council what action would be taken. A police report has also been filed, and an investigation into the incident is underway.
The pitch previously hosted games organised by the Indian High Commission and is regularly used by a dedicated group of amateur players. Norbury Labour councillor Shafi Khan first sought funding for the pitch in 2019, eventually securing support from the council, which remains responsible for its upkeep and now its repair.
A spokesperson for Croydon Council said: “We are appalled by this outrageous act of vandalism on this community asset in Norbury Park, which has impacted on and saddened the local community. Our parks team have made the area safe by removing the hazardous debris, but unfortunately, the pitch cannot be currently used.
“We have reported the incident to the Police and would like to thank residents who have contacted the Council to report this senseless act of vandalism. We will work with the Police and encourage anyone with information to contact them.”
