A VANDALISM and a theft's spree running into thousands of pounds in damage and losses has plagued the site of the new Pershore leisure centre over the past three weeks.

The latest setback to hit the King George Way site was an estimated £2,000 worth of damage caused last weekend(Dec 8/9) by vandals who smashed cement laid as a base for the centre's tiled floor.

Alan Bishop, Wychavon District Council's clerk of works for the £4million scheme, said the weekend incident was another episode in a costly series of incidents.

"We've had two lots of vandalism," said Mr Bishop. "First, they damaged the plaster on the walls about three weeks ago." He estimated the cost of that at around £1,000.

In last weekend's attack, said Mr Bishop, the vandals wrecked cement, causing about £2,000 worth of further damage.

"We've also had thefts," he added. "They have broken into the office and stolen things. They have stolen a dampmeter and a camera.

Even Mr Bishop's jacket containing his gloves in the pocket was taken, as well as a plumber's threading machine.

The total bill for the thefts, which took place two weeks ago, was estimated at £4,100 by Mr Bishop.

He said that the criminal activities were causing hold-ups on the leisure centre project, with work due to be completed by next March for an April opening. Around three-quarters of the necessary work had been completed.

"It will delay us by a couple of days," said Mr Bishop, "We can't afford that kind of delay. Timescales are tight. We're going to be hard pushed to get it completed. We'll get there but we could do without it."

Mr Bishop thought the vandals and thieves were climbing over the development site's security fencing to get in.

"It looks like youngsters," he said, "There's no real point to it. They have just gone round and destroyed it on purpose."

He went on: "It's all unnecessary. What we have here is a community project, which they are delaying. It's for the good of the community and I just wonder what's the thinking behind it all."

The new leisure centre will include a 25-metre swimming pool, gym, multi-use rooms and health suite.