Vandals breach lockdown rules in Portobello by cutting padlocks to 5-a-side football pitches for kickabout

Vandals breached lockdown rules by cutting padlocks at a five-a-side football centre in Portobello to have a kickabout.

Powerleague Portobello club bosses posted a message online asking people not to attempt to get onto the pitches, along with pictures of the damage which appeared to also show netting around the pitch had been cut.

On Facebook, the club wrote: “The pitches are locked and secured for a reason but unfortunetly we have had a bit of vandalism and damage to the parks with people attempting to get in! We will be reviewing the CCTV footage when we can.

“This has now been fixed, however has led to unnecessary time and effort having to attend our place of work while we are closed when we should be at home.

The images posted on Facebook by Powerleague Portobello.

“We do understand everyone is missing their football and we want to get back as soon as we can but we do have to wait until it is safe to do so I ask that you please refrain from attending Powerleague Portobello until we are able to open again.

“Thanks everyone, hope to see you all soon.”

The pitches, often referred to locally as ‘the Pitz’, are located on the former site of Portobello’s outdoor pool and are closed in line with social distancing guidance from the UK and Scottish governments during the Covid-19 lockdown.

The guidance says to only leave home for purposes such as getting food, accessing medical care, once a day exercise and for essential work which can not be done from home.