‘SICK vandals’ have caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage to popular play park in Wharton – which was only upgraded earlier this year following a previous attack.

Damage to the Leaf Lane recreation ground swing – installed in February at a cost of £900 – is part of a wave of anti-social behaviour blighting Wharton.

Police have stepped up patrols in the area, while councillors have slammed those responsible.

A Spokesman for Winsford Neighoburhood Policing Team said: “There has been quite a bit of damage caused at Leaf Lane.

“Wheelie bins have also been set on fire. We have asked that the gates to the play area be closed from 7pm.

“We have had damage for two weekends running and have two extra patrols on between 7pm and 10pm.

“We are coming up to bonfire night and these extra patrols will remain in place until November 6.”

As a result of their enquiries, police have arrested two youths in connection with anti-social behaviour in Wharton.

Five other youths have been warned about their behaviour.

Leaf Lane was upgraded as part of an extensive investment programme in Winsford’s recreation areas by the Town Council.

Clr Stephen Burns branded the perpetrators as ‘sick vandals’ who were ruining things for Wharton’s law abiding youngsters.

“I hope the morons who did this are caught. Winsford Town Council have worked hard to provide new equipment for play areas and these mindless idiots just go around destroying everything.

“Decent children have now lost another piece of play equipment because of moronic, mindless vandalism.”

 

Winsford Town Council discussed the damage at Leaf Lane during their monthly meeting on Monday, October 20.

Town Council clerk, Alan Warburton, said the ‘last few months have been a nightmare’ and described the damage as ‘soul destroying’.

“40,000 of investment is being slowly dismantled, bit by bit, every weekend.

“When this play park was installed kids were gushing about how god it was. To see it being destroyed is soul destroying’.

Councillor Dave Edwards urged residents to contact police with any information on who was behind the damage.

Cllr Charlie Parkinson raised concerns about a forthcoming investment in Wharton recreation ground.

“I’m not suggesting that we shouldn’t go ahead with it, but we need to get adequate security in place before we do.”

Cllr Gaskill-Jones, who leads the Incredible Edibles community gardening initiative also revealed that the vegetable plot in Wharton had seen ‘significant incidents of vandalism.

“The potatoes  have been ripped up and squashed into the ground. All the carrots have also been pulled up,” she said. “A lot of hard work in Wharton has been lost completely.”

Cllr Clarke said: “This isn’t just confined to the Wharton Estate either. Just before the Salt Fair some people burned a brand new bench to the ground on the Flashes.”

Winsford Town Council ordered a costing report on fencing off the Leaf Lane play area completely at night.

Police are continuing to ask for names of those responsible. If you have any information, contact Cheshire Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.