Police launch investigation after shocking damage to Leeds rugby league pitch

Whinmoor Warriors - a rugby league club based in Whinmoor - were left reeling after their pitch was ripped up by callous quad bikers, as reported in the Yorkshire Evening Post earlier this week.More than 100 children from Leeds play for the team - based on a field off Naburn Approach near Fieldhead Carr Primary School.

The club rallied together with donations for a local foodbank, with the items taken to be given out on Saturday.

However, just hours later, it is believed quad bikers and potentially a motorbike and car entered their playing fields at the school - "ripping the grass to shreds".

When club coach David Mann, 32, arrived on Monday morning, he discovered the scene.

David, speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, said: "From what we gather they have entered the pitch on Saturday night.

"They have completely ripped the pitch to shreds.

"It is devastating.

"We have had cars make a few tracks before but this time it is fully ripped up.

"It is going to take a lot of work for us to get going again."

The club has recently had to suspend activities due to the latest lockdown measures.

But David said the pitch will now take months to recover.

He added: "By talking to friends I have been told we will need to flatten it.

"I am no gardener but the pitch was in good shape and rested as we have not been able to play on it due to Covid.

"More than 100 kids are going to be affected by this.

"We need a new fence around the field to stop this happening."

Police are understood to be making CCTV enquiries.

David described the incident as a "real kick in the teeth" to the club.

He said: "I believe police are chasing up CCTV footage.

"The pitch is now a safety issue, if I was a referee I wouldn't let us play on it.

"We are gutted."

In a post on their social media channel on Monday, the club said: "Over the weekend some local idiots have chosen to drive across our pitch and training area putting it out of action for months.

"We'd like to thank everyone for their support especially Seacroft Sharks for their offer of the loan of their pitch should we need it in the New Year."

Now, police have confirmed an investigation is underway.

CCTV enquiries are ongoing, police said.

West Yorkshire Police Leeds East team said: "We have received a report of damage caused to the field off Naburn Approach, Whinmoor.

"CCTV enquiries are ongoing at present.

"If anyone has any information regarding this, please contact [email protected] quoting crime reference 13200565400."