Outrage as Wolverhampton children's activity maze attacked by yobs
Vandals have attacked a popular park in the Black Country – damaging an activity maze for children.
It's the second time in just over a year that Ashmore Park in Wolverhampton has been targeted.
Around a dozen wooden posts were found broken and pulled out of the ground, being left scattered nearby.
Councillor Phil Bateman called the attack a disgrace, adding: "This piece of play equipment has been attacked, I for the life of me cannot understand why this should happen.
"I am sure Ashmore Park families are as dismayed as I am about this vandalism.
"It's dis-heartening, we have people trying so hard to keep this area respectable and we've only recently had new play equipment installed.
"It obviously costs money for us to replace this, money which we could really do with spending elsewhere.
"It's depressing when we get these acts of vandalism happen when they do – I simply do not know why people would do this.
"But I have received a name from a member of the public that, as always, I will be passing on to the police showing the power of social media at work.
"With this type of incident, or any other anti-social behaviour, if you know who was responsible, please inform the police."
Following the attack which happened last week, Councillor Bateman has also asked local authorities if the nearby CCTV could cover the Ashmore Park area.
He added: "As always we'll work together to put a stop to this. A similar type of attack happened last year, when an outdoor gym was attacked."
The city council's environmental team said: “This piece of natural play equipment, fun for the children to run around and to challenge their balancing skills on the variable height wooden stumps, has unfortunately succumb to thoughtless vandalism.
"This will be put right over the coming days but it’s an expense we would rather do without.”
Last year vandals attacked equipment used by stroke victims at the park.
The equipment, which was in place to be used by those undergoing rehabilitation following health problems such as strokes, was taken apart by the vandals.
Speaking of the state of the park at the time, Councillor Phil Bateman said: “I was shocked at the damage caused, it is heavy duty equipment and very robust.
"The intense and destructive attack has reduced part of the equipment to scrap metal."
Anyone with information is urged to contact West Midlands Police on 101.
