Keep an eye out for vandals as play park trashed

Published: 6 July 2023

A leading councillor has called on people in Exeter to help ensure play equipment is safeguarded for the enjoyment of the city’s youngsters after “sickening vandalism” left a play park trashed.

Ruth Williams, Lead Councillor for Place and City Management, is encouraging people in the city to keep an eye out for vandals and report any incidents or suspicious behaviour to the police.

It follows an attack on the Lloyd’s Crescent play area in Whipton, where vandals ripped up the safety matting around the swings. The play equipment will now be out of use while City Council officials establish the extent of damage.

“Once again there is a tiny but significant element that is spoiling the enjoyment of others. This is sickening vandalism and I’m sure someone somewhere knows something about the incident and the individuals involved.

“If they do, I would ask them to let the police know. This can be done confidentially through Crimestoppers.

“We will of course look to replace the matting but unfortunately we don’t have a bottomless pit of money to keep replacing equipment that is needlessly vandalised. This has to stop.”

Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/