Worcester Golf Club Vandalism: Teen Yobs Target Homes with Hundreds of Golf Balls
Residents in a Midland community are facing a distressing campaign of vandalism as teenage hooligans have been launching hundreds of golf balls at their properties and vehicles from a neighbouring course. The incidents, occurring at Ravenmeadow Golf Club in Worcester, have left locals footing repair bills and fearing for their safety.
Nighttime Infiltration and Property Damage
Youths have been sneaking onto the golf course under cover of darkness, specifically targeting the fairway of the 16th hole to aim at the adjacent housing estate. Over recent months, this has resulted in a barrage of golf balls causing significant damage to homes and cars in the Drovers Way and Kerry Hill areas.
Alan Sidebottom, one of the affected residents, expressed his frustration, stating: "Maybe they think it's funny, but it's not funny. It will take a hundred pounds to repair the damage on my car and a couple more to do the conservatory. I could not repair the damage to my caravan."
Near-Misses and Safety Concerns
The situation has escalated beyond property damage, with several residents reporting narrow escapes. Lee Hardman recounted a terrifying experience where he almost was struck by a golf ball while walking his dog at night. This incident prompted him to report the matter to West Mercia Police.
Hardman also faced a £100 repair bill after a ball shattered his car window. He remarked: "We have talked about putting posts up and netting to stop the balls from hitting our cars but we do not want to do that. We do not know what to do."
Another resident highlighted the severity of the issue, noting: "If it was one or two balls then that's probably understandable but there are hundreds. There have been some near-misses with people having to dodge out of the way to avoid being hit. It's only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt."
Golf Club Response and Security Measures
James Leaver, the owner of Ravenmeadow Golf Club, initially believed the vandalism was an isolated incident but has since recognised the broader pattern. He explained: "Luckily, to date our greenkeeper has been able to make repairs without much disruption to the playing surfaces. But it appears that whoever is doing this is also causing other damage locally."
Leaver emphasised that the balls are not from legitimate play, stating: "Clearly, the balls are not coming from members or visitors because an 'errant shot' would not be able to reach Kerry Hill. Unfortunately, it seems like a small group has decided this is how they are going to have some fun, purposely causing serious damage to our neighbours and us."
In response, the club is taking action by:
- Installing trail cameras to monitor the course
- Increasing patrols by its ranger
- Collaborating with local authorities
Police Involvement and Community Appeal
West Mercia Police have pledged to intensify patrols in the area to address the anti-social behaviour. A spokesperson urged the community to remain vigilant, saying: "We also encourage residents to report all incidents of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage to police, so officers can continue to build an intelligence picture and tackle the issue."
Residents continue to call for enhanced security measures from the golf club, warning that without immediate intervention, the situation could lead to serious injuries. The community remains on edge as they await a resolution to this ongoing vandalism problem.
