CHILDREN'S lives are being put at risk by vandals who have targeted play park equipment.

Bolts and screws have been removed from the climbing wall and tampered with a zip wire at the Bonc children’s play area in Mynydd Isa, in what is the latest attack on the site.

The latest attack was discovered before anyone was injured and workers from Flintshire Council have repaired the equipment, but concerned residents fear the culprits could strike again.

The state-of-the-art play area was officially unveiled by the Duke of Westminster in July following a £150,000 makeover.

But Ken Houghton, Argoed community councillor and member of the Mynydd Isa Field of Youth group which helped organise the project, said it has since been plagued by a spate of vandalism.

He said: “We’ve had a spate of vandalism which came to a head this weekend.

“About a fortnight ago adult exercise equipment was damaged and soft tarmac on the play area was dug up.

“This weekend somebody has taken tools to make equipment unsafe. Part of the zip wire was removed and bolts were missing from the climbing wall. We’ve reported it all to the council and they have repaired it.”

He added: “It is like a booby-trap. They have also loosened bolts on the small climbing frame for three and four-year-olds. This is really nasty.”

Cllr Houghton said other play equipment had also been tampered with but the play area is back up and running thanks to the repair work carried out by Flintshire Council.

But Ken added: “I’m very concerned they are loosening the bolts.

“We’re concerned it will be repeated. I’m worried a child will be on the swing and it will give way.

“I fear a child will be seriously injured, it doesn’t bare thinking about.”

A spokesman for Flintshire Council said: “We are aware of local concerns about damage to the play equipment and are currently looking to modify the fixings to make it extremely difficult for anyone wanting to tamper with the equipment to do so.

“We would encourage anyone with any information, or who has suspicions about people causing damage to the play equipment to contact North Wales Police who are aware of the situation.”

If you have any information call the non-emergency police number on 101.