A beauty spot in Whitchurch has been vandalised for the third week in a row leading to calls for improved CCTV surveillance to be installed in the area.
Vandals targeted Jubilee Park over the weekend and in the latest attack tried to set fire to the public benches and cut them up.
Last month the Chronicle reported that the public toilets which have been closed for a number of years were smashed up and sprayed with graffiti – meaning the repair costs in the park have now run into thousands of pounds.
Local police officials have said there are plans for CCTV to be installed in the area, but there is currently an issue with finding funding.
Chris Peel, local police officer for Whitchurch, said he was aware of the problem with vandals in the area, and the police will continue to carry out target patrols.
“In the last two weeks there have been incidents where we have been forced to seize alcohol from youths and we realise after they have a drink they can misbehave,” he said.
“We understand there is a plan for improved surveillance to be put up in the area which is needed, but there is a problem with funding.
“Jubilee Park isn’t the only area in the town where these problems occur and it is difficult to be in more than one place at the same time.”
Rob Hewson, Whitchurch town councillor, said he was disappointed at the latest attack on the park by vandals and hoped the issue could be dealt with soon.
“It seems to be the same people, who are fuelled by alcohol, who keep vandalising the park,” he said. “It is disappointing that people come along and destroy an area we are trying to improve.”
Residents have voiced their frustrations to the town council that the public toilets have remained closed for so long and say there is a lack of seats in the park.
The council has recently refurbished the children’s play area in the park and in the near future hope to provide further seating and sheltered areas, sports equipment and new goalposts for the football pitch.
By reporter James Pugh
