Newark: Plea for vandals to stop after spate of attacks in town

Two fences were brought down in Sconce and Devon Park

A leading councillor has pleaded with vandals in a Nottinghamshire town to stop a spate of criminal damage and anti-social behaviour.

Multiple visitor attractions across Newark-on-Trent have been targeted in recent weeks.

Among the sites affected since the end of April, are Sconce and Devon Park and Newark Library.

Paul Taylor, from Newark and Sherwood District Council, said the vandalism was "unacceptable".

Mr Taylor, the council's public protection and community relations chief, said the authority was determined to crackdown on the issue.

Windows at Newark Library were smashed through after recently being installed in the roof

Measures have included issuing offenders with behaviour contracts and injunctions banning them from certain areas, he said.

"There is an issue with vandalism," said Mr Taylor.

"The behaviour is totally unacceptable and we're not going to tolerate.

"We must work together as a community to deter and identify culprits who blatantly disregard our district.

"I would urge them to stop and urge them to hand themselves in to the police before they get a knock at the door."

Fences and a tree in a community orchard were damaged in Sconce and Devon Park over the weekend between 4 and 6 May, the council said.

A tree was also brought down by vandals in the park

A week before, over the weekend of 27 and 29 April, freshly installed windows on the roof of Newark Library were smashed through.

Earlier in April, artwork in an underpass under the Barnby Road and Clay Lane bridges was painted over for the second time after being vandalised.

Nottinghamshire Police said it was investigating the most recent vandal attack in the town's park.

Insp Charlotte Ellam added: "It really should go without saying, but this type of behaviour is unacceptable and we are working alongside Newark and Sherwood District Council to identify those responsible.

"Tackling antisocial behaviour has been a neighbourhood policing priority for our area for some time now because we fully understand how much of an impact it can have on communities."