Vandals attack Market Drayton play area
Vandals have damaged a children's play area by cutting down swings and loosening bolts, just days after it opened.
The Chancel Drive play area in Market Drayton was opened last Monday after a £63,000 extension paid for by the company that built a nearby housing estate.
It is believed that the vandalism took place between 10pm and 10.30pm on Friday night.
The play area is owned by the town council, and Councillor Tim Beckett, Mayor of Market Drayton, said the vandalism "hasn't been done by kids".
"The ropes are an inch or two thick and someone has cut through that with big wire cutters, you can't do that damage with a penknife, so it means someone came to the park to deliberately damage the equipment.
"It had to be someone with the right tools, you don't just carry those things around."
It is also believed that bolts were loose on a roundabout see-saw, but it cannot be confirmed that this was an act of vandalism.
Councillor Beckett added: "It leaves the area in a dangerous state. If someone intentionally took the bolts, they have put the children in danger as the whole thing could have come off and caused an injury to someone."
He added: "A lot of people are saying it was someone who was angry that there were children playing there late in the evening, and the noise was disturbing them, but we don't know that yet."
The park originally caused controversy when councillors were forced to foot a £5,000 bill to move a piece of the equipment following complaints from nearby residents.
Councillor Roger Hughes, who is on the services and facilities committee which was involved in the installation of the equipment, said: "I think it's absolutely disgraceful and very disappointing.
"It will be expensive to replace and we will have to think about CCTV cameras which a lot of the play areas already have.
"The cameras weren't installed to begin with because it was just an extension of the area, and we've not had any problems before."
Police have estimated that the criminal damage caused cost about £150 and they are now appealing for any witnesses.
Anyone with information or who saw anything of interest should contact 101 quoting incident number 498S140614.
Information can also be given to Crimestoppers Anonymous on 0800 555111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org
