Information on Loughborough

Loughborough Playground Closed

Posted on 29/05/08

fire and flames

A LOUGHBOROUGH playground has been closed for health and safety reasons after vandals caused more than 20,000 worth of damage in two separate attacks.

Charnwood Borough Council is appealing for people with any information about the incidents at Stapleford Park, off Cropston Avenue, to contact the police.

A climbing frame and slide were destroyed by fire in the first attack, which happened on Friday, May 23rd, and the blaze also melted safety rubber matting and badly burned fencing.

Officers from the Council tidied up the area and cordoned off the broken equipment but the playground was targeted again by vandals on Tuesday, May 27th and further damage was caused.

It is not yet known how long the playground will remain closed but the damaged equipment will need to be removed before it can re-open.

Chris Traill, Charnwood Borough Councils Director of Leisure and Environment, said: Unfortunately, weve had no choice but to close the playground.

Some of the equipment has been destroyed by the fire and with the rubber matting also badly damaged, its just not safe for children to be playing there.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause but the health and safety of youngsters using our playgrounds has to be the number one priority.

If anyone has information about who caused this damage, we would encourage them to contact the police.

Cllr Jane Hunt, Charnwood Borough Councils Champion for Play and Young People, added: Its a great shame that a small minority can spoil the fun for the majority of children who take pleasure in using the equipment at Stapleford Park.

The playground was there for everyone to enjoy and mindless vandalism like this is simply unacceptable.

Anyone with information about the vandalism to the playground is encouraged to call Leciestershire Police on (0116) 222 2222.