Parks in Mossley targeted in spate of vandalism

Playgrounds in Mossley have been destroyed in a recent spate of vandalism.

Playgrounds in Mossley Park and Egmont Street Playing Fields have been targeted, leaving locals ‘sickened’ and ‘angered’. Climbing frames have been burnt and swings have been damaged, leaving local children with fewer play options.

The playgrounds are owned by Tameside council, who will now look into preventing future problems.

Stephen Homer, a Mossley councillor and executive member for towns, believes action needs to be taken as this sort of behaviour is ‘happening more and more’.

Cllr Homer said: “We need to look at doing something to combat this antisocial behaviour. It’s not fair on the kids that use those parks.

“It cannot carry on like this. It’s happening far too often. They are fantastic parks. My kids played on them and now my grandkids play there – so it’s disappointing.

“The vandalism on both happened within a short space of time, it was almost simultaneous with the other. To see them treated like this is sickening.”

Mossley Town Council has suggested installing CCTV to help deter future issues and vowed to work with Tameside council and Greater Manchester Police to tackle the issue. Cllr Homer, who also sits on the town council, says the council will need to look at the options open to them and have to consider the costs for replacing the park as well as CCTV.

Nothing has been confirmed yet, but Cllr Homer suggested it could take until next year to repair the damaged playgrounds.

A statement from the chair of Mossley Town Council Dave Jones, shared on social media, said: “We are deeply concerned about the damage and destruction caused to the play areas in both of Mossley’s parks. We share the anger, revulsion and dismay of the community at losing two highly valued play areas for our children to dangerous and criminal damage. 

“We search for ways in which we can explain and make sense to our children about why anyone would want to burn down and destroy their safe and dedicated play spaces. There are lots of issues to grapple with here, but a key point to make is that responsibility and blame lies solely with those who committed these acts. 

“But, it is now the duty of those with power and responsibility to address the aftermath of what has happened, and to try to resurrect these play areas.  We can’t have a community in which children can’t have safe and fun spaces to play. That would be totally unacceptable.”