Chain gang in swings swoop

Disappointed tot Isaac Wrigley and his grandmother Lorraine Harrison at the vandalised swings in Coalshaw Green Park.

THIEVES have stolen the chains of around 20 swings in four Oldham parks, ruining the fun of scores of children.

Parks bosses are now appealing to Oldhamers to help track down the culprits who are thought to have stolen the chains, worth almost £2,000, to weigh in as scrap metal.

The thieves struck across the borough between Sunday afternoon and Monday morning.

Glenn Dale, Oldham’s greenspace manager, believes the thieves will try to weigh-in the stainless steel chains and urged scrap merchants not to accept them.

The chains have gone from eight swings in Coalshaw Green Park, Chadderton, six in High Crompton Park, four in George Street Playing Fields, and reports were just coming in of a number of chains missing from a children’s play area in Monmouth Street, Werneth.

One bannister rail has also been stolen from a slide in Coalshaw Green Park.

Mr Dale said: “They obviously only wanted the chains as most of the swing seats were left on the ground.

“I would urge the public who see anything untoward to ring the police immediately.

“And I warn those responsible that we are on the lookout for them, and we will prosecute.”

The cash-strapped council has no choice but to replace the chains for health and safety reasons, and Mr Dale said: “The last thing we want to do is let children down.

“This is an appalling act, and in effect is stealing from Oldham’s children.

“In the present financial climate it will be extremely difficult to find the money to replace the chains.

“We don’t have any money to spare, and if we spend it this way it will stop us being able to spend it in other areas.”