Local Groups Call Time on the Spoilsport Vandals

10.44.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 18th Sep 2007

A call to stop the spoilsport louts that are causing thousands of pounds of damage to play grounds and leisure areas is being issued by council enforcement officers. Time is being called on the vandals that have ruined the fun for hundreds of children throughout the city because of mindless acts of vandalism to playground equipment.

Over the past few weeks vandals have struck at several sites:

• Stantonbury - chain bridge cut with bolt croppers (the fourth time this has happened recently - very dangerous)

• Crownhill - toddlers' slide smashed

• Fishermead - fire damage to safety surface, climbing module and swings

• Newport Pagnell - vandalism to ramps of skateboard park

• Oldbrook - new £10,000 climbing module installed last year had parts cut out with a hacksaw

Council enforcement officers are urging the local community to take action by calling a confidential hotline on 01908 252592 to any information they can about the vandals. They've also issued a challenge to all neighbourhoods to get behind their local parks by forming friends' groups.

Meanwhile, residents in Wolverton decided to take direct action by getting out their old clothes and grabbing a paint brush to help make their local park a nicer place. More than 30 people, including children as young as two, helped re-paint the toddlers' play area, with paint and brushes supplied by Milton Keynes Council.

Liberal Democrat councillor Douglas McCall, cabinet member responsible for the environment, said: "Milton Keynes Council will actively support communities keen to adopt their local parks. It's a shame a few mindless people insist on destroying what has been placed in the parks for the benefit of everyone."

To get help with setting up a friends group for your local park, ring (01908) 252592.