LOCAL TAXPAYERS FACE PAYING THOUSANDS OF POUNDS TO REPLACE EQUIPMENT ATTACKED FOUR TIMES IN 10 MONTHS

ATHERSTONE taxpayers face footing a bill running into thousands of pounds after "mindless" vandals were condemned in targeting a popular youngsters' pleasure park for the fourth time in less than a year.

Now Atherstone Town Council looks set to take the Westwood Road play equipment out of commission until coronavirus lockdown is over to avoid "throwing good money after bad".

Councillor Tony Clews, who found the zip wire seat slashed and basket swing damaged, has been left "fuming" by their actions.

He cannot understand why the play area, used by tots to teenagers, has been the object of repeated abuse.

Cllr Clews told Nub News: "It's mindless violence – the area is being vandalised for no good reason."

The attacks began when the basket swing was set on fire last July. Two months later the zip wire seat was slashed for the first time.

Both were replaced at a cost of nearly £1,500 in total.

In November, the town council had to add the Mantis seat assembly Zebedee – designed for young children – to its "to do" list after being broken off by older youngsters.

The latest vandalism put the total repair bill – for parts alone – since last summer at more than £2,500.

"Goodness knows how much it will cost in labour to put them back," added Cllr Clews.

At Thursday night's annual meeting, he intends to press for the equipment to be taken down and stored until "coronavirus is over".

He added: "We can't risk for it to be vandalised again before it is actually back in use.

"We should replace the equipment and when it can be used again, re-install it."

Council chairman David Wright added: "Town taxpayers will have to fork out to replace the equipment which is all new in the last three years.

"We are extremely disappointed that what appears to be a small number of people could have spoiled this for the young people of the area."