‘Disgusting’ attack ruins children’s play area in Huntingdon
Shilpa Desai - Sakaldip, looks at the Coneygear Park vandalism, - Credit: Archant
Vandals have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to playground equipment at a park in Huntingdon, just months after it was installed.
Shilpa Desai - Sakaldip, looks at the Coneygear Park vandalism, - Credit: Archant
Parents discovered at the weekend that the equipment had been covered in red paint and obscenities drawn on the flooring of Coneygear Park.
Angry playground users wanting to enjoy the area found that the slide had been splashed with paint and slogans drawn on the swings and see-saw.
Assessing the damage, park manager Shilpa Desai-Sakaldip was upset about the vandalism, particularly the damage to the slide.
She said: “It is disheartening and disgusting that this has happened as this was meant to be something for the community. It is definitely not nice for the children as they won’t be able to come and play on the equipment.
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“I really hope it doesn’t stop parents from bringing their children down here once it’s been sorted. For now I wouldn’t let my children go on it as it I doubt any parent would because the youngster would be covered in red paint.”
The playground was opened in June last year after £50,000 was given to the council through housing development money to improve the park.
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“It is sad because it is only eight months old and this is something that the community wanted and now it’s been destroyed.”
Shilpa Desai - Sakaldip, looks at the Coneygear Park vandalism, - Credit: Archant
It is expected that the cost to repair the damage will start at £5,000 but it is not clear whether the paint will come off.
“This permanent paint so we aren’t even sure whether it will come off, we will just have to wait and see when we start the work,” added Mrs Desai-Sakaldip.
Many parents have taken to social media to express their disgust at the vandalism with some calling it ‘awful’, ‘upsetting’ and ‘disrespectful’.
It is believed that the incident took place between 5pm on Saturday (March 5) and 11am on Sunday (March 6).
Cambridgeshire police have been informed about the vandalism and are urging anyone with information to contact 101 quoting CF0095640316 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
