A SPORTING centre has been targeted by vandals and thieves who put the lives of bikers at risk.

CCTV footage shows Teesside Autodrome and the adjoining Teesside Karting centre, in South Bank, Middlesbrough was attacked by about five vandals at about 9.30pm on Monday (May 9).

The gang of youths threw bricks, sticks and stones at bikers using Teesside Autodrome who can reach speeds of over 130mph on the track.

Later burglars struck, taking a Great North Air Ambulance collection box which was nearly full and contained an unknown amount of money, thought to be about £100. They also stole the till which contained about £100.

They went on to smash up grass cutting equipment, kick in windows, boot in doors and throw water around soaking the place.

Bob Pope, who took over the centre with his wife, Tracy, in 1998, has offered a reward of £500 for information that would lead to the conviction of the hooligans.

He said: "We haven't had any trouble at South Banks for many years, so it's really disappointing. They were throwing bricks at the bikes and had to be chased off. You could get someone killed doing that, very easily. It is ridiculous behaviour. It just can't be tolerated.

The Northern Echo:

Tractor wrecked by vandals. Picture: TOM BANKS

"We're giving the CCTV footage to the police. The damage is aggravating and a real nuisance. But taking the charity money is what is really annoying. It's that which is causing me to offer the reward."

Centre manager, Paul Frankland, said that the thieves had missed the money collected for Help for Heroes and also stressed that throwing bricks and stones at the racing bikers was; "extremely dangerous and could very easily get someone killed."

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said: "We received a report of youths throwing sticks and stones and generally committing anti-social behaviour at Teesside Karting in South Bank at around 6:05pm on Monday. Police Community Support Officers attended the scene at 6:20pm but no arrests were made. On the morning of Tuesday we received reports from Teesside Karting that the premises had been burgled at around 9.30pm the previous evening. No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.

The Popes are famous in the world of karting after opening the first indoor kart circuit in London in 1985 and going on to develop an 'endurance kart' for endurance events as well as opening centres around the world.

Anyone with information about the criminals should call Cleveland Police on the non-emergency 101 number or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800555111.