A HARTFORD play area that has only recently been installed has been trashed by mindless vandals.

The park on Bradburns Lane, which was opened just three months ago, was targeted by youths again.

It cost £40,000 to revamp the park along with the play area on Parker Avenue – with Hartford Parish Council putting £13,000 of the village’s money into the project.

Damage caused by the vandals included ripped holes in the sponge floor, the steps being pulled off the climbing frame, the climbing frame being daubed in graffiti, including swear words, and a safety panel kicked out of the climbing frame.

After receiving a quote from the manufacturers of the play equipment, the parish council has been told that the damage caused will cost more than £2,500 to repair.

PC Claire Murgatroyd said the vandals hit the park in broad daylight.

“It is just appalling really,” she said. “The children come to play on it and they are faced with swear words all over the place.

“There is litter here and it is an ongoing problem. It makes me angry, they can’t keep anywhere nice.

“But this seems to have happened at 1.15pm on Monday, October 12. The forensics team have been up and we are determined to get these people.

“Why should they ruin children’s enjoyment?”

Jo O’Donoghue, Hartford parish council clerk, said the park was funded through a mixture of parish council funds and money from the now defunct Vale Royal Borough Council.

She said: “We are awaiting a repairs estimate but the parish council has put in a complaint of criminal damage.

“We will let the police know the exact cost when we know, but the park has been made safe.

“Thankfully, a member of staff from the Sir Leslie Martin Day nursery was on the ball and reported it when she saw it happening.

“Officers said they had an idea who did it and I think they have spoken to people.”

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