SAVE OUR PLAYGROUNDS!

Newbury Town Council is asking residents to help to save children’s playgrounds around the town. Vandals continue to maliciously damage equipment, often leaving it in a dangerous condition. The Council is calling on residents to be vigilant and where they see people damaging play equipment to report it to the Council or the Police.

“This mindless damage is really frustrating and dangerous. Some malicious people are setting out to deliberately endanger children by removing nuts, bolts or screws from play equipment. They actually go out with the tools needed to do this damage. It’s hard to understand the mentality of these people,” said Cllr Sarah Slack, Chairperson of the Council’s Community Services Committee.

She continued, “This is costing the Council and the taxpayers of Newbury. This is money which should be spent on the regular upkeep of our playgrounds, rather than having to repair malicious damage. We are concerned that if it continues, play equipment may have to be removed, or worse still, someone will be injured. I am appealing to those who are causing this damage to stop immediately before you injure an innocent child. That’s why we are calling on residents to help us stop this by reporting it to us or the Police. Our playgrounds are located all over Newbury and are loved and valued by the Community.”

Contacts:

Cllr Sarah Slack, Chairperson NTC Community Services Committee sarah.slack@newbury.gov.uk 07970 790808

Hugh Peacocke, CEO Newbury Town Council hugh.peacocke@newbury.gov.uk 01635 35486