Mystery motive behind theft of park safety matting

RAIDERS who ripped up safety matting from beneath a village park have left parish council officials positively perplexed.

The special flooring ran the length of the zip wire at Sketchley Hill Farm playing fields but sometime between 4.30pm on Sun- day March 12 and 10am the next day it vanished.

Now the parish council, which runs and maintains the recreation grounds, are having to shell out for a replacement.

Pat Armstrong, projects officer at the council, said: “Just what thieves would do with it is a puzzle.

“We have no idea why they have taken it as it has no real domestic use.

“Perhaps they have tried to sell it on.

“We’d really like it back if possible because otherwise we face a hefty bill to get it replaced”

The tough protective covering allows grass to grow through it and prevents the soil beneath the zip ride from getting churned up and becoming muddy in wet weather.

She added: “Those responsible apparently tore the matting free, rolled it up and carried it away - though it’s very heavy and a vehicle must have been used.

“We are asking anyone who saw anything suspicious, or who may know what subsequently happened to the matting, to get in touch with us, in confidence.”

Anyone who can help can email info@burbagecouncil.co.uk or call Hinckley 637533.