AN arson attack on a social club has left volunteers questioning why they offer their time for the community as they feel 'under-appreciated' with 'no backup'.
The Langford Sports and Social Club, at the Wirr in Steeple Langford, was targeted by arsonists at around 1am on Sunday, August 13.
A plastic wheelbarrow was ignited using a can of WD40 before it was pushed toward a nearby field.
Heineken cans which are not sold by the social club were found at the scene of the crime.
Parts of the marquee tent, owned by the Langford Community and Sports Association, were also damaged.
Director Robert Ellis, 61, has been with the association for more than one year and estimates the damage caused by the "mindless" arson will cost upward of £1,000 to repair.
"Had the grass been dry, its impact would have caused further damage," he said.
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The recreation ground is maintained by three volunteers and Mr Ellis said they feel as though they are 'on their own' in fighting anti-social behaviour.
He added: "We feel like we have got no help and we’re having to deal with this on our own. We have no backup from the local community.
"We know people have cameras in the area which look at the cricket field but we have had no one coming forward with information.
The rec has been used for a beer festival and fete in the past and Mr Ellis said the association has had no new people interested in volunteering.
"Everybody uses the rec so we’re feeling a little bit annoyed. They want a recreation ground but we’re eventually going to give up and no one is going to help. They will wonder where the rec field has gone," he said.
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A new CCTV system with full coverage of the social club, cricket field, car park and storage areas will be installed to deter arsonists from committing further offences.
Mr Ellis told the Journal it took "more than two hours" to report the incident to Wiltshire Police and he is awaiting a report from the fire service.
He is asking anyone who lives near the Wirr, Edgar's Close, to check their CCTV or doorbell footage from Sunday, August 12, which can be passed on to the police.
A spokesperson for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue said: "We received a call at 1.48am on Sunday 13 August about a fire in the open at the Wirr, Steeple Langford.
"A crew from Wilton attended the incident which involved textiles in a bin, but the fire was out on arrival.
"The police were informed and we left the scene just before 2.30am."
A Wiltshire Police spokesperson said: "We have received a report of an incident of arson in The Wirr field and playing area near Steeple Langford.
“Sometime around 1am on August 12, a side screen used for cricket and a wheelbarrow are thought to have been set on fire.
“We are still in the very early stages of our investigation.
“Any witnesses or anyone with information is urged to contact us online or on 101 quoting reference number 54230085251.”
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