Play park arsons which caused £36k damage 'are absolute disgrace'
Council bosses have slammed vandals for destroying play equipment in Cannock claiming they have committed an 'attack against the community'.
The scathing criticism came as the council agreed to spend £36,000 on replacing the play areas at Cannock Stadium and Hayes Way, which were targeted in unrelated arson attacks on October 3 and November 21 respectively.
Referring to the Council pledging funds to repair the parks leader George Adamson said: "It is a shame we have to have this.
"The park is always packed and then we get these individuals who want to destroy it.
"It is an absolute disgrace we have to do this.
"For it to happen again at Heath Way lets down the community. It is an attack on the community.
"Hopefully this doesn't happen again."
Deputy leader Councillor Gordon Alcott was even more scathing. He lamented the fact on the same night the council had agreed to increase council tax by 1.95 per cent.
He said: "This is an awful act vandalism its absolutely disgraceful.
"We have just been talking about budgets and why we are having to put up the rates.
"This is going to cost the equivalent of £1.50 in council tax to pay for this to do the repairs. £1.50 on each and every property.
"When people realise what the cost is to them and the council they won't believe it.
"We always get the blame but it is things like this that mean we have to put the tax up.
"There is just no need for it. It's just vandalism to something that is used by children."
The council stated the attacks were 'unprecedented' compared to previous incidents where parks had been targeted.
The authority has obtained quotes from two manufacturers concerning the costs to replace the equipment with like for like designs.
It is hoped the works can be completed before the end of March.
It will cost £17,000 to replace the park at the stadium and £19,500 to do Hayes Way.
