Playground arson attack bill to top £80k

The damage in Thornes Park was believed to have been caused on Wednesday

Arsonists have caused around £80,000 damage to a children's playground in Wakefield, less than two years after it was refurbished.

Thornes Park play area has had to be partially closed following the attack, which was believed to have taken place on Wednesday.

Wakefield Council, which runs the site, said it was "outraged" by the damage caused by those involved.

The playground was revamped with new equipment at a cost of £400,000 within the past two years, the authority added.

Regular evening patrols of the park would be carried out in a bid to deter a repeat, the council said.

Gary Blenkinsop, Wakefield Council's service director for environment, said: "We know how much local families have enjoyed the new play area. We expect they will be as outraged as we are."

He added: "The police are treating this as arson, which is a serious criminal offence, and we will be looking to recoup costs from whoever is responsible.

"We can’t stand by and let a minority ruin things for our communities, and I don’t think local people want that either."

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