Vandals damage play equipment at Gosberton park

Vandals have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to equipment in a village park.

Warning tape and fencing has been put up around the play tower in Gosberton Playing Field after it was ‘forcefully’ broken last week.

The play tower is currently out of order and not safe to use due to damaged bolts which fix the equipment to the ground.

It is also thought that — less than 24 hours after the warning tape and fence were installed for safety reasons — three youngsters were captured on camera, breaking onto the damaged tower.

The act of vandalism has raised concerns among residents and Gosberton Parish Council. Clerk Frances Newman said: “We don’t know who has done it but we suspect it might have been older children or teenagers.

“The bolts that hold the equipment into the ground have all been sheared off, which would have taken some force.

“It is a bit upsetting because the council works hard to improve things for people in the village and we don’t know how long the piece of equipment will be out of action for.

“At the moment we are waiting for a quote back from the company who installed it, to find out how much it will cost to repair.

“I think it could be between £5,000 and £6,000 but it might be more. We’re just hoping it can be sorted in the next month so children will be able to use it.”

The park, which cost £60,000 to install, has seen a rise in anti-social behaviour such as graffiti, increased amounts of litter and reports of children climbing onto the church.

It is currently inspected every month by council workers. Frances added: “At the end of the day it comes out of everyone's pocket because it's paid for by council tax.”

The other equipment in the park is still available for children to use — but there is a worry the rise in anti-social behaviour could deter younger families from going.

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