Alert over rogue metal detectorist after around 300 holes are dug up at village cricket pitch

A rogue metal detectorist has struck at a village cricket club, digging up around 300 holes on its playing surface over two visits this year.

Shirehampton Cricket Club has appealed for the public’s help, along with the police, to catch the culprit over concerns further damage could lead to player injury or even the postponement of games.

The club has played at its ground in Penpole Lane since 1858 - but never before has this happened, according to chairman Darren Nurse who said the metal detectorist’s visits had caused a headache for officials.

“It’s been extremely frustrating,” he told BristolWorld. “The first time there were holes absolutely everywhere and it took the volunteers here many days to fix. Now the person has returned bringing more damage.”

He added: “We have a rogue metal detectorist.”

The first incident occurred back in February when the club discovered around 260 holes dug up across the playing surface one morning. They had been dug during a break in the cricket season.

On a bench were some old keys and worthless trinklets - leading officials to the conclusion that it was a metal detectorist behind the damage. Groundsman Robin Fidoe then spent the next few days reparing the holes.

The police were called and a message was put out on the cricket club’s Facebook page asking the walkers in the area to keep an eye out for the culprit.

But the same person returned again at the start of this month, the club believe. Over the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend around 30 more holes were dug around the playing surface.

Mr Nurse said: “They’ve come back and done more damage - we couldn’t believe it, really. No games have been postponed but if this obviously keeps happening it could put us in a difficult position.”

As to why the club, which has two adult teams and provides training for under 12s, was targeted, officials do not know. The site is situated between Kings Weston Estate and Shirehampton Park Golf Club.

Mr Nurse said: “We’re not aware of any mythical history to the site - it just doesn’t make sense.”

A post on the most recent damage was posted on Bristol Metal Detectors Facebook page, where members described the incident as ‘appalling’ and ‘pitiful’.

Under law, permission is required from the landowner to go metal-detecting, unless the site is historically protected, in which case all metal-detecting is illegal.

Shirehampton Cricket Club lease the ground from National Trust.

In a statement, the organisation said: “The National Trust recognises that metal detecting is a popular and growing hobby that can help increase our understanding of the past.

“We are keen to find ways of working closely with metal detecting clubs and societies that can help interpret and protect our properties for future generations.

“However, we cannot allow unauthorised or unsupervised metal detecting on our land.”