Vandals Cause £3,000 Worth of Damage to Castle Play Area
Vandals have wrecked equipment at a popular Clitheroe Castle play area, causing damage valued at £3,000.
The area, used by hundreds of families, is the latest site to suffer lockdown vandalism mounting to tens of thousands of pounds to owners Ribble Valley Borough Council.
Council workers discovered the vandalism, including the complete removal of one piece of equipment, on Monday morning.
And now the hunt is on to find the culprits, who are facing the full force of the law and a hefty bill.
Council workers are carefully sifting through CCTV footage of the stricken site for evidence.
Ricky Newmark, chairman of Ribble Valley Borough Council’s community committee, said: “Our play areas remained open during the second lockdown, providing a vital leisure and recreation facility for families.
“I know this play area has been much appreciated during the pandemic and it is astonishing that anyone would vandalise it.
“The thoughtless vandals responsible for this have spoilt the fun of children and landed council taxpayers with a huge bill.
“We are determined to recover our repair costs and are asking anyone with information to step forward.
“Someone must have seen or know something, so please do the right thing and speak up.”
The incident is the latest in a string of costly vandalism in Ribble Valley, including graffiti at the castle keep and the wrecking of the barrier to a disabled car park at Edisford River twice in six months.
Anyone with information about the Clitheroe Castle play area vandalism is asked to call the police in confidence on 101.