PATROLS are being introduced at parks in Cirencester following a spate of 'soul-destroying' vandalism and anti-social behaviour.
At the worst affected area, St Michael's Park, a newly opened toilet block was vandalised after being refurbished following an arson attack last summer.
In addition, a bug hotel made by children was burnt to the ground and broken glass was found near a table tennis table.
Cirencester Town Council is now locking the toilets earlier and hiring a park ranger to patrol the grounds.
Volunteers were heart-broken to find the large bug hotel made by pupils from Paternoster School, a special education school in Cirencester, had been badly burnt along with surrounding vegetation on Sunday, May 28.
Picnic benches, a stone wall and a croquet shed have also been damaged and flower beds have been trampled on.
In addition, toilet seats and loo roll dispensers have been broken in the lavatory block which only reopened in March after an arson attack last June.
Loos have also been blocked with toilet rolls.
As a result, the park will remain open between 8.30am and 8pm but the toilets will now be locked at 4pm everyday.
The town council says the cost of repairing damage at park since June last year has run into the thousands of pounds.
Meanwhile, unauthorised barbecues and fires have been reported in the Abbey Grounds and there has been vandalism at Thistle Park, including attempts to rip out bike racks from the ground.
A park ranger and the town's public realm team will patrol open spaces and parks starting from Thursday, June 8.
A spokesperson for Cirencester Town Council said: "As a community, do you think it's acceptable to damage the toilet roll dispensers and shove toilet rolls into the toilets, to break off newly fitted toilet seats and set fire to a bug hotel created by pupils?
"Our staff and volunteers work tirelessly to provide Green Flag accredited facilities at St Michael's Park and it is soul-destroying when this is undermined and ruined.
"We believe the damage is being caused in the early evenings by a small group of individuals, rectifying the damage costs us time and resources, as well as public money which could be better used towards more important needs.
"If this level of anti-social behaviour and vandalism persists we will need to consider closing the toilets and facilities even earlier than we currently do.
"This is not fair on the wider community and we need your help to bring a stop to this and to identify those individuals involved."
Town council CEO Andrew Tubb said: "Toilets are now locked at 4pm every day at the same time as the kiosk closes.
"We have introduced a park ranger and public realm team starting on Thursday, June 8 whose purpose is to be on the ground across our open spaces and parks, being proactive to respond to issues and minimise risk of anti-social behaviour, as well as dealing with litter and general upkeep.
"We are keeping the time of closing the toilets under review and can keep them open later into the evening, if we believe there is no further risk to vandalism."
Anyone with information about the vandalism should email info@cirencester.gov.uk and report suspicious behaviour to the police.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel