VANDALISED

A FAMILY plays in the park on Sunday — the day it was officially reopened

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Months to revamp Copster Park – and three days for yobs to wreck it

JOY at having a brand new playground turned to despair for children after vandals attacked Copster Park just days after a revamp.

Youngsters were eager to try out the new equipment in Hollins at an official launch on Sunday — but on Wednesday night it was targeted by teenage louts.

Freshly-laid turf on a hill and flowers and trees were ripped up in a wrecking spree that will cost £2,000 to repair.

Drinkers at the near-by Lark Inn were unable to stop the vandals because a gate at the back of the pub that led the park has been permanently closed.

One resident said: “They spent months refurbishing Copster Park and building it all up with walkways, treehouses and plants and it got trashed by gangs of kids, aged around 14, within minutes.

“They have dug it all up and thrown sods around. They have absolutely vandalised it. The council are as much to blame as the youths as the pub had access to the park at the back through a gate, but the council welded it up so you can’t gain in.

“Previously, people could go to the pub and keep their eye on their children in the park.

“Half a dozen people watched this going on and if they could have got to the park some guys would have run across to stop it.”

Elaine McLean, Oldham Council’s executive director for economy, place and skills said: “There has been a significant investment in new play facilities at Copster Park which have proved extremely popular with local families.

“However, a recent spate of anti-social behaviour and vandalism means that an additional £2,000 will now need to be spent on repairs.

“We are working closely with the police who will be stepping up patrols in the area in addition to the council’s First Response service which will also be closely monitoring the park area.

“This is a first-class facility and the council is committed to ensuring that it remains this way.”

It was the tenth playground across the borough to be refurbished as part of Oldham Council’s £1.2 million Playbuilder programme. A total of 22 parks will be overhauled over two years thanks to a government grant.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161-872 5050 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800-555 111.