VANDALS continue to cause upset at a Wrexham park, after leaving screws exposed when uprooting a bench.

The Friends of Acton Park were left outraged after discovering that a bench in the park had been uprooted from the children’s play area and dumped further afield, leaving several six-inch screws dangerously exposed in the ground.

Christine Cribbin, the chair of the Friends of Acton Park group, said that the most recent act of vandalism has ‘left a sour taste in her mouth’ and is spoiling an otherwise ‘well-enjoyed area’.

She said: “It is just upsetting for all involved that people feel they have the right to do this when groups like ours and various others work hard to provide things for the park that everyone should be able to enjoy. We then have to replace them at our own cost which is difficult for us as a non-profit community group.

“It worries me more that someone is going to get hurt as this time whoever has done it has left the sharp screws that hold the bench down completely exposed and it could hurt anyone - a young child, a parent or a dog out for a walk with its owner.”

The Leader:

The Friends of Acton Park made the discovery over the weekend. Image: @ActonParkFriend/Twitter

Ms Cribbin said that this is not the first time something like that has happened.

She adds that the incidents have been ongoing since early September, with previously uprooted benches – which cost hundreds of pounds – ending up near the anglers pond as well as repeatedly damaged noticeboards.

She told the Leader that the matters are all being reported and urges members of the public who continue to use and enjoy the park to keep an eye out for suspicious behaviour and, if concerned, to contact police on 101 or reach out to their local PCSO officer.

The Friends group chair said: “All of the incidents are being relayed to the police and it has even been discussed at the local community council meetings when officers are present. I really don’t want the minority causing a problem to ruin a place that myself and the majority of other park users enjoy spending time in every day.”

Ms Cribbin wants park users to pull together and help protect their community asset by reporting anti-social behaviour to the authorities.

This can be done by contacting North Wales Police on 101 or by calling the dedicated PCSO for the Acton area Mike Bell on 07974 243640.