Village play area vandalised for second time with damage branded a 'sickener' by campaigners

Swan Park in Essington was first opened three years ago – originally funded by residents after a committee was formed and raised £25,000.

However, on the first day the park in Hobnock Road launched it suffered vandalism with yobs attempting to set it on fire.

Since then, a new committee has been formed and raised £7,000 to help repair the damage, installing new equipment over the weekend.

Now, it has been vandalised again, on Sunday night, with a local councillor offering a reward for anyone who may know who is responsible.

Councillor David Clifft, chairman of the parish council, worked with business owners and residents over the weekend to re-install equipment in the park.

He said: "It's sick that this has happened yet again. I'm offering a reward of £200 for anyone who can provide information leading to a conviction.

"It was fantastic to see the park come together and for all the people in the community to give up their time and lend a hand to get it up to scratch.

"I can't believe this has happened less than a day after we finished work. Everyone worked so hard, not only to help raise the money, but to set it up.

"It has always been disappointing when it's been vandalised. We were hoping that with a new sense of ownership and responsibility it wouldn't happen again.

The new committee had raised £5,000 of the the money through the help of an anonymous business owner who donated to the fund. Other businesses in the nearby area also donated and gave up their time to install the new equipment.

Roger Bateman, owner of Garden Rite who helped with the project said: "I'm not surprised but I'm extremely upset. I know it's happened before, but to happen so soon really is upsetting."

Other businesses that helped with the project were Alvaston Loft Conversions Ltd, Fusion Industrial Ltd, Hilton Main Construction Ltd, Mark Wozencroft and The Old School Tea Rooms.

A total of £6,000 of damage was also caused at the park last October when vandals ripped up the safety foam surface in the children's play area and snapped off the belts and chains from the swings.

The park has also faced problems with youths congregating there. One youngster was arrested for possession of cannabis in 2014 when a group of 11 were confronted by police.

Full bottles of alcohol were found under a bench. Officers made the youths tidy up the park following the incident.

Six of the youths were from Essington, three from Ashmore Park and two from Cheslyn Hay.

In July this year, vandals also struck at Old Fallings Adventure Playground, based on Old Fallings Crescent – smashing sensory equipment, doors and windows, and wrecking polytunnels and fruit beds in the grounds.

They also started a fire and smeared excrement over a wall, causing tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage. The incident was the latest in string of attacks on the site which started in April.

The playground is managed by the council and offers open access play for children aged between five and 12.

It also offers a base to a number of community organisations, sensory rooms and play experiences for disabled children and their families, and gardening experiences for families.