West Lancashire Borough Council is appealing for people to keep an eye out for vandals in Coronation Park in Ormskirk.
Council staff are working with the police to tackle a recent spate of vandalism. Seven fruit trees that were part of the community orchard were snapped, and have had to be re-planted.
Local youths were caught pulling up plants in the planting beds at the front of the park near the war memorial and throwing the plants into the road.
Coronation Park has Green Flag status which ranks it among the best in the country, but the flag that denotes this prestigious status has also been stolen.
Councillor David Sudworth, portfolio holder for Leisure and Community Safety, said: “Coronation Park, along with all of our parks and countryside areas, are safe places for people of all ages to visit.
“But there has been a recent spate of vandalism and criminal damage is an offence. We are appealing for the public to help us track down any individuals who vandalise the parks and spoil things for everyone else.”
Pc Mick Ginn, Town Centre Community Beat Officer for the park area, said: “We are aware of previous incidents and work closely with the Council in monitoring the park. We mount regular patrols to ensure people are able to safely enjoy the facilities.
“Youths caught on CCTV uprooting plants were identified and detained by a police patrol. A follow up visit was carried out jointly with the Park Ranger to educate the youths as to the consequences of their actions.”
Councillor David Sudworth, portfolio holder for Leisure and Community Safety, added: “We always seek recompense from persons damaging the park in either monetary compensation or assisting us in their own time on ‘working parties’ to make good any damage."
If anyone sees any suspicious activities in Coronation Park, Ormskirk, or any of the Council’s parks and countryside areas please call the rangers on 01695 570258 or 01695 622794, or the police non-emergency number 101.
Councillor Sudworth added: “Coronation Park is a beautiful place to visit any time of year and has some great facilities for people of all ages to enjoy. I would encourage everyone to come along and enjoy this wonderful park.”
Lancashire County Council’s Young People's Service has a team out in the Young People's mobile centre at Coronation Park Monday and Tuesday evening 6pm-9pm. For more details about activities in which all young people aged between 13 and 19 can get involved in their local area please contact Neil Shearer at the Young People’s service on 01704 896424.
Ful details of 2014 WLBC Events programme regarding parks and countryside are on this page below-
http://www.westlancs.gov.uk/leisure__tourism/parks_and_play_areas.aspx