THE director of the development company which majority-owns the Camrose football ground has said that managing the security of the site is a “difficult situation” due to the “restraints we are under”.

Speaking to the Gazette, Basron director Malcolm McPhail said that the company is ‘well aware’ that the dilapidated site has been targeted by vandals in recent months, but says money spent on securing it has been unsuccessful in deterring people.

It comes after firefighters were called shortly after 6pm on Saturday, July 3, to a suspected arson incident on the site, the second in a month.

This has led to calls from nearby residents for something to be done.

“I wasn’t aware of an incident on Saturday, but I was aware there was a fire three or four weeks ago,” said Mr McPhail.

“I think that it requires measures such as CCTV and the possibility of securing the stands and the members’ club. The council has sent a list of suggestions and we are working with them, but unfortunately the property remains vacant and empty.”

He continued: “We have actually spent quite a bit of money over the last six or nine months and [the vandals] have undone it. It’s quite difficult to secure four acres of open land in the middle of the town and right next to a housing estate, without being able to demolish the building.

Mr McPhail described the situation as “frustrating” and “a difficult scenario”.

He added: “We are concerned about the security of the building. You wonder if the police are on top of it. They detained four potential culprits last time but let them go. It surprised me that police didn’t charge them for breaking and entering, which they should have done.

“We are alert to it, it’s not being ignored. We are well aware of the issues and trying to address them as best we can, given the restraints we are under.”

When contacted by the Gazette, Hampshire Constabulary said the Basingstoke team was not called to the incident on Saturday.