A Bury councillor has described vandals who left graffiti on play equipment at a park as a ‘minority of morons’.
The £100,000 play area facility in Sedgley Park in Fairway, Prestwich, has been targeted by vandals for the fourth time since it opened to the public in April.
Bury Council said graffiti - which included swearing - had been daubed over the equipment earlier this week, whilst a litter bin had also been set on fire. The main entrance barrier had also been damaged and snapped off its hinges.
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An orchard, planted to mark the Jewish festival of Tu Bishvat, was also ‘completely ruined’. The council has warned that further damage could see the play equipment removed altogether as they ‘don’t have limitless budgets’ to clean it up each time.
Anyone with information regarding the acts of vandalism is now being asked to reach out to the police or local councillors.
Councillor Alan Quinn, cabinet member for the environment, climate change and operations, said: “This pocket park is immensely popular with the local community. Play areas where families live are warmly welcomed and give our children somewhere safe to get some exercise and fresh air.
“However, a minority of morons seem determined to spoil things for the vast majority, not to mention wasting our council tax. They’ve not only vandalised the play area, but they’ve also completely ruined an orchard next door to the park which was planted to celebrate the Jewish festival of Tu Bishvat.
“We have been down to clean up the graffiti, but we don’t have limitless budgets, so if there is major damage caused in future to the play equipment, we will have to consider removing it.
“I appeal to local residents to keep an eye out and report any information to local councillors or the police.”
Anyone with information can call police on 101 or via their website.
