POLICE are investigating a report of online threats to cause criminal damage aimed at a football club in Swansea.
The investigation comes amid a row over perimeter fencing installed by Waunarlwydd Galaxy AFC around playing fields it leases from Swansea Council, with the permission of the council. The land had previously also been used by people in the community to walk dogs and play.
The allegedly threatening message, seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, was posted on a Facebook group called The Waunarlwydd Post and included a threat to cut down the fences and send quad bikes there. Several comments were posted underneath, including one from a person saying they had spare disc cutters.
A spokesman for Waunarlwydd Galaxy AFC said: “As a club we are shocked and saddened by the threats of criminal damage made against our club.
“We have received numerous messages of support since the publication of these threats and we thank our wider community for their ongoing support.”
A spokesman for South Wales Police said: “South Wales Police received a report of online threats to cause criminal damage directed towards Waunarlwydd Galaxy Football Club on Monday January 13. Our investigation into this is ongoing.” It encouraged anyone to report this type of behaviour.
The person who administers The Waunarlwydd Post said he sought to operate a policy of freedom of speech. He said he did not condone any illegal activity and encouraged others to follow the legal route. He said people were frustrated about people not having access to the land. The post and comments have been removed.
The football club spokesman said the club had previously offered to relinquish around 65% of the lease of its fields back to the community for their free use and access. It said an action group which has been campaigning about restoring public access turned down this offer.
Part of the fencing had been temporarily removed while the council reviewed an earlier decision it made to allow the field to be fenced off in the first place. A council spokesman said last month that this process had concluded with “the position put beyond doubt”, and that it had given the club permission to “reinstate the protective perimeter fence so that the playing fields can be protected from vandalism and abuse which has been a problem over the years”.
The action group campaigning against the perimeter fencing replied to the football club’s offer about the lease. It agreed to some parts of the offer, subject to conditions, but did not agree to other parts including about a potential future pitch-side stand. The group also said residents had been vigilant in checking for litter, dog mess and vandalism during the time when the fencing was temporarily removed.