Smashed glass left in play area

Youths smashed glass and left it on a piece of equipment at a children's play area in Shrewsbury, sparking fears youngsters could have been left seriously injured.

The glass was smashed at a play area in Mount Pleasant before being left on the equipment.

Dr Maxwell Winchester, a Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough councillor for the Bagley ward, said glass was being smashed by youths hanging around at play areas across the borough.

He described the latest incident, which happened earlier this month, as "really malicious" and urged parents to be vigilant and check equipment before their children use it.

Police today said they had received concerns about anti-social behaviour in the area and had stepped up patrols and given "strong words of advice" to youths found in the play area.

Councillor Winchester said if the glass at the Mount Pleasant area had not been noticed before a child went on the piece of equipment somebody could have been seriously injured.

He said: "We're dealing with really malicious stuff in children's play areas.

"Parents really need to be vigilant when they go into a play area to ensure there is no glass."

Police community support officer Joe Bradley said concerns about anti-social behaviour were raised at a street briefing held by police earlier this month.