PARK ARSON ATTACK BRANDED DISGRACE
NUNEATON’S MP has branded the arson attack on a town’s play area a ‘ disgraceful act of vandalism’.
Marcus Jones has spoken out after the climbing frame in Riversley Park was damaged on Monday.
The attack has caused widespread anger and upset as not only is the play area, known fondly as the ‘sand park’, popular with families, it was also named in honour of Royal Fusilier Louis Carter, who sadly lost his life on the frontline in Afghanistan, aged just 18..
Mr Jones said: “This is a disgraceful act of vandalism that shows a complete disregard for local children and the memory of Louis Carter. It will spoil the enjoyment of hundreds of children, particularly during this holiday period.
“Let’s hope that the council can get the equipment repaired as soon as practicable, and that those responsible are either caught or over time they realise what distress and cost their actions have caused.”
Fire chiefs had to cordon off the huge piece of play equipment, reported to have cost £15,000, for safety reasons but Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council had hoped to re-open it by yesterday afternoon (Tuesday, April 18).
Alan Franks, managing director at the town hall, said: “The wooden climbing equipment in Louis’ play area has been checked over and will be open for use later today (Tuesday, April 18),” he said.
“We plan to make minor modifications to it in the next few weeks, in the hope it deters this type of mindless action.
“The consequences of people setting fires could be catastrophic. We would ask the public to be vigilant and if they see anyone acting suspiciously to contact the police.”
Firefighter Paul Nickford, who was incident commander, said that they managed to stop the whole wooden pyramid from going up in flames, after the fire was started at just before 7pm. “We believe that a birds nest was set on fire and it spread,” he said.
“It was a deliberate fire and I had to condemn it (the piece of equipment) last night for safety reasons. Luckily we managed to stop the fire spreading to the main beams which would have brought the whole thing down, but it was still not safe enough to be used on Monday night and I know that the council is looking into it.”
Although the fire service raised the alarm with the police, officers did not attend on the night.
But investigations are ongoing according to a spokeswoman for Warwickshire Police Force and police want to hear from anyone who knows who was behind the shameful attack.
“Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service made us aware of a fire at Riversley Park where a climbing frame had been set alight, but police attendance was not required,” the spokeswoman said.
“Anyone with information should call Warwickshire Police on 101 quoting incident 294 of April 17.”
Sadly, it is not the first time that the park has been attacked.
Back in September 2015, yobs targeted the large pyramid climbing frame, setting fire to paper they had stuffed into the top.
It prompted a huge public backlash as residents spoke of their anger of the disrespect shown to Louis Carter.
The park was officially opened in October 2010 and was dedicated in the name of the teenager who, poignantly, spent much of his childhood playing in Riversley Park.
Anyone who has any information about who is responsible for the recent attack can contact the Crimestoppers hotline, where details can be left confidentially, on 0800 555 111.