Anger as city play park targeted by vandals again

The damage appeared to have been done deliberately

A councillor has told of her disgust after play equipment at a children’s park was vandalised for the third time in two weeks.

Cambridgeshire Police said visible patrolling had been increased around the Ortons in Peterborough after the latest damage to Wistow Park in Orton Wistow.

Kirsty Knight, an independent Peterborough City Council member for the Orton Waterville ward, said the park had become "unsafe for use" after equipment was "vandalised with chainsaws causing incredible damage" over the bank holiday weekend.

The council said the damaged equipment had been "made safe and taped off", and the park remained open.

Kirsty Knight said residents in Wistow were "very upset"

Wistow Park was redeveloped following a campaign in 2021 with new swing and play equipment installed for use by primary school-aged children.

Mrs Knight said it was the only local park for Wistow residents and had been targeted repeatedly. It has been "taken away from the children", she said.

She believes the slides alone could cost the council about £1,000 to replace.

"I am urging parents to speak to their children. This has been done by someone local in the area," she said.

"It's not just swings and slides but some of the trees in the park have also been damaged using saws.

"It's very dangerous and could seriously injure a young child if they innocently used the equipment."

Trees were also targeted by the vandals

A police spokesperson said: "Further vandalism at Orton Wistow Park has been reported.

“We’ve increased patrols in the area and an investigation is looking at all reasonable lines of inquiry."

A council spokesperson said: "We are aware of this incident which has been reported to the police.

"Vandals have damaged a slide which will need to be replaced. A roundabout and swing unit were also damaged.

"We have been made aware of some damage to one of the multi-play units this morning. At present, we do not have cost for repair work as this is being finalised.

“The damaged equipment has been made safe and taped off and the park is open as usual.”

Bolts from a swing were removed, making it unsafe