IN MAY, two fires at the Spiderfields play area in Purfleet destroyed the play equipment causing over £28,000 of damage.
Now the fight is on to find funding to replace the equipment which had been bought through a Mardyke Veolia Trust grant in 2011.
An earlier attack, in April, saw the field’s PArkor – concrete – equipment targeted and although there was no structural damage, repairing the superficial and surface damage cost £12,000.
Thurrock Council is working with Essex Police to investigate the crimes. Crimestoppers is offering a reward of £1,000 for information leading to the arrest and charge of suspects. Crimestoppers can be reached anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Police Inspector Leigh Norris said: “This is the latest in a catalogue of criminal damage offences around the park.
“The latest offences have involved the use of an axe or something similar to cut down a mature tree within the park. What particularly concerns me is that someone has had it in a public place, so it’s likely to be an offence on its own regardless of the damage caused.”
He added: “Police are working hard with local people, the council and other agencies to detect, prevent and reduce these offences, but we really need some community help regarding the names of those who may be responsible.
“This is a community park – and a good one at that. The park is being damaged by a person or people with absolutely no respect for the time, effort and money that has gone into improving the area for residents and visitors.
“This cannot and will not be tolerated and I am determined to identify who is responsible.”
Cllr Victoria Holloway, the council’s portfolio holder for environment, said: “This is a terrible loss for the young people of Purfleet, and just down to the actions of a minority maybe just one or two.
“It is hard to believe some people can be so thoughtless and stupid that they make a major effort to destroy something people they know thoroughly enjoy.
“Essential play and recreational equipment has been destroyed and now the council has to try and find funding for it to be replaced.
“The devastating effect fires have on our environment is also of great concern to us and we intend to do everything we can to restore Spiderfields.”
Portfolio holder for public protection, Cllr Angie Gaywood, Added: “We will work with our partners to find out who did this. Arson is a very serious crime and the effect it has had in Purfleet is clear for all to see.
“I know that some great work is being done in the area by youth workers, the housing teams, and our partners from Oasis and the fire service.
“We intend to do all we can to support the efforts of the police in finding the culprits and bringing them to justice.”
[…] Back in May, two fires at the Spiderfields play area in Purfleet destroyed play equipment causing over £28,000 of damage. The battle is on to find funding to replace the equipment which was bought through a Mardyke Veolia Trust grant in 2011. An earlier attack in April, saw the field’s PArkor equipment targeted and although there was no structural damage, repairing the superficial and surface damage cost £12,000. See here for the full story on Your Thurrock: http://www.yourthurrock.com/2013/06/17/reward-offered-as-part-of-pursuit-of-purfleet-arsonists/ […]
Who are you thurrock heckler?
If it wasn’t for spamming yourthurrock no one would of heard of your word press site.
Once upon a time there was an election candidate who used to post pictures on Flickr of vandalism and broken walls and things, but never bothered to report the issues to the Council – just moan about it.
This was very handy to other candidates who could identify the locations of the photos and report the problems to the Council and get the problem fixed, and then leaflet residents on what a great job they had done.
The candidate who took photos and whinged on a social media sites about the problem but did nothing got a hundred or so votes and lost.
The candidate who identified the locations of the problems took action with the Council and reported back to residents got elected.
Thurrock Heckler? No idea who or what he is – just snipes from the sidelines without actually working with residents to get things done.