YOBS have vandalised Caerleon’s ancient Roman amphitheatre, starting fires, chipping bricks off the walls and leaving burnt pieces of tyre and carpet at the historic site.

Police have recorded several incidents of criminal damage since April this year, including an incident in June when masonry at the shrine was “smashed”.

“It looks as if rocks have been thrown from a nearby pile into the shrine, damaging the brickwork,” a spokeswoman said.

She added that two stones were dislodged from the masonry at the barracks in May, and in April stone was left charred after a fire.

The Argus understands that people have been getting into the amphitheatre during the evenings to drink and play football, sometimes starting fires in the shrine area which has been seriously damaged by ill-use.

Around 58,000 people visit the monument every year, including 22,000 school children.

That number has included world leaders who visited the site as part of the NATO Summit in September 2014.

It is one of the last open excavated amphitheatres in the UK and brings in tourists from across the world. Romans were based at ‘Isca’, as they called Caerleon, from around AD 75.

People have allegedly used sticks to prise away parts of the stonework of the ancient site, levering off bricks and smashing them off.

In the last month and a half educational panels put up to inform people about the history of the Cadw-maintained site have also been burnt and trashed, just weeks after they were installed.

As well as this, the ground has eroded from people walking on the amphitheatre away from official walkways and litter such as cans and old ice cream wrappers is often left on site.

Fences put up to try and protect the site have also been damaged.

In a bid to stop the problem occurring, Cadw has organised talks at local schools to encourage people to look after this priceless part of their history, and they have increased patrols during the long summer days and evenings.

Entrances and exits have been made more obvious to discourage people walking on more fragile parts of the structure and fencing has been made more robust.

People visiting the monument should stick to official paths to do their bit to look after the site, and report anything suspicious.

Caerleon councillor Paul Huntley said: “Cadw raised the issue with me, saying they were having damage to the fencing and gates. It’s unfortunate and we are in the process of nipping it in the bud. Everyone that goes in there needs to respect what it is – an ancient monument.”

Police and councillors are trying to arrange a meeting to discuss how to address the issue.

A Welsh Government spokesman said: “Damage was recently inflicted to information panels and fencing at our Cadw site at Caerleon. The incident has been referred to the police.”

“We have introduced the Historic Environment (Wales) Bill which will legislate to better care and protect our important historic buildings and monuments, however everyone has a part to play to protect and preserve these sites for future generations. We take instances of damage, particularly deliberate or criminal damage, very seriously and appropriate action will be taken against those found to be responsible.”

The bill is currently out for consultation.

For more information email HistoricEnvironmentBill@wales.gsi.gov.uk.

Police asked anyone with information about criminal damage to phone 101 quoting log number 142 June 16.