VANDALISM at the Petersfield Town Football ClubÕs Love Lane ground has spread to the fence running alongside Herne Junior School.
And Petersfield police inspector Steve Sargent says the area is being used by young people drinking and smoking cannabis.
When carrying out a survey of the grounds, school governors discovered serious damage to the fence and a number of empty beer bottles.
Petersfield town councillor Dr Brian Keefe said the area had been a major problem for some time and had had many complaints from nearby residents of noisy behaviour.
He has even looked into the possibility of passing a bye-law to control the site. But after investigation Dr Keefe discovered it would be too complicated and would take too long.
Dr Keefe said: ÒThis is something that has been going on for too long. Action must be taken to prevent this.Ó
Insp Sargent told The Herald: ÒThe problem has been on and off up there since the beginning of spring.
ÒSince March we have put in a lot of effort to supervise that area of Love Lane properly.Ó
Insp Sargent said he was set to attend a meeting with the town council, the football club, the residentsÕ association and other interested groups last night (Thursday). He hoped the meeting would draw extra attention to the problem.
ÒPeople have been using that area as a place to smoke cannabis. We have caught several people up there and each time that has happened there have been arrests made.
ÒWe are keen to address the problem and hope that people donÕt think it is an area to go where they can break the law.Ó