Speedway club 'devastated' after stadium damaged

A speedway club has said it is "heartbroken" after its stadium was damaged by vandals on two consecutive nights.

Leicester Lions said their Hydroscand Arena suffered "significant damage" during a spate of vandalism on Wednesday and Thursday.

Track equipment and fencing was destroyed by the offenders who also let off fire extinguishers and caused damage to the stadium's viewing platform.

Jen Crossland, one of the club's promoters, said the damage has "wiped out" all of their volunteers' hard work ahead of the new season.

Crossland said the club was "devastated" to arrive at the track on Wednesday to find the damage.

"They took our tools from the tool cabinet and proceeded to cause significant damage on and around the track, the safety fence, the start line and the gantry that runs over the top," she said.

"When they came back the next day, they caused more devastation.

"They've not taken anything the second time. They've just caused even more damage."

She said the club was determined to continue as normal by hosting their Premiership KO Cup tie against Belle Vue Aces on 6 April.

The club has already raised more than £11,000 to fix the damage and has received offers of help from "up and down the country".

Crossland said: "It's been absolutely fantastic.

"We've had so many supporters coming out to tidy up.

"It's been really heartwarming to see how people have come forward to help."

A Leicestershire Police spokesperson said: "Officers from the West Leicester Neighbourhood Policing Area (NPA) are speaking to representatives from the speedway and are carrying out further inquiries into both incidents."

They have appealed for anyone with any information about the break-ins to get in touch.

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