A children's play area in Newton Aycliffe has been forced to close part of its equipment after vandals allegedly dropped a concrete block onto a slide, causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage.
Great Aycliffe Town Council is appealing for information following the latest incident at Moore Lane Play Area.
Council officers attended the site on the morning of Wednesday, October 14, after receiving reports of anti-social behaviour and fires being started the previous evening.
(Image: ANDY FUTERS)
While fire damage at the play area was found to be relatively minor, officers discovered a large hole in a popular slide within the junior play area after a concrete block was allegedly dropped onto it.
The damage has left the slide unsafe to use and it has been closed with immediate effect.
(Image: ANDY FUTERS)
The incident is the latest in a series of attacks on play equipment across the town, with similar damage reported at slides in Town Park and St Oswald's Park in recent months.
According to the council, more than £11,000 has been spent replacing vandalised slides in its parks over the past year.
(Image: ANDY FUTERS)
The replacement part needed for the Moore Lane slide is expected to cost a further £600.
A council officer said: “It is extremely disappointing to see yet another act of deliberate vandalism targeting facilities designed for local children and families.
“These play areas are valued community assets and every pound spent repairing avoidable damage is money that cannot be invested elsewhere for the benefit of residents.
“The ongoing cost of repairing this type of damage is simply unsustainable and ultimately falls upon local taxpayers.”
The council is urging anyone who witnesses vandalism or anti-social behaviour to report it directly to Durham Constabulary rather than only sharing details on social media.
The officer added: “Prompt reporting increases the chances of those responsible being identified and held accountable.”
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The council said it is continuing to work closely with police and warned that anyone identified as being responsible could be banned from council-owned land and required to pay the full cost of repairs.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Durham Constabulary on 101 or via its online reporting system.
The Northern Echo has contacted Durham Police for comment.