Man held after goalposts stolen from playing fields

A man has been arrested after football goalposts were stolen from playing fields.

Merseyside Police said the incident in Arrowe Park, near Birkenhead, had been reported at about 07:15 BST.

Local resident Stacey Owen said her husband had noticed the damage while on a dog walk, adding that it was "devastating for the local community" because the football pitches were used by people of all ages from across Wirral.

A force spokesperson said the goalposts had since been retrieved and a 29-year-old man from Woodchurch had been detained on suspicion of theft and remained in custody.

Insp Sharon Robinson said: "These goalposts are used by the community on a regular basis so for them to be targeted shows how people involved in criminality have no regard for other people.

"Thanks to the quick response from officers, we have been able to arrest a suspect and retrieve the goalposts."

Robinson said she hoped this "shows our community how seriously we take these reports".

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact police.

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