Vandalism is costly blight on Shrewsbury park

A recreation ground in Shrewsbury with a chequered past continues to be blighted by arson attacks and vandalism, council chiefs today said.

Vandals have caused more than £1,000 of damage to Monkmoor Recreation Park in just one month, according to officials from Shrewsbury Town Council. In December, the park was at the centre of a murder investigation, following the stabbing of 23-year-old Scott Cooke.

Three men charged with his murder are currently awaiting trial.

Shrewsbury Town Council took over the running of the park from Shropshire Council in July.

But since that time, officers have been called to the site more than 50 times to deal with anti-social behaviour, including several arson attacks.

One incident on July 10 saw thugs pile rubbish against the door of a pavilion and set it alight. The attack caused more than £700 of damage.

There have also been attempted arson attacks to the park’s synthetic playing surfaces as well as numerous cases of graffiti.

Meanwhile, council contractors have had to make three visits to the site in order to repair damage to fencing – at a cost of £600.

At a meeting of Shrewsbury Town Council’s recreation and leisure committee on Wednesday, councillors branded the vandalism ‘disgusting’.

Councillor Jackie Brennand said: “The money spent putting all these things right is a big toll on the taxpayer.

“I find it just disgusting that people have so little respect of property that is used by other members of the community.”

To combat the problem, town council officials recently installed 6ft high gates.

But the move was met with anger by local residents who claimed they had not been consulted about the change.

John Atherton, from Monkmoor Road, claimed the gates were a ‘knee jerk’ reaction.