THOUSANDS of pounds in taxpayers' money has been spent repairing damaged equipment at parks and play areas across Wrexham last year.

Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act by the Leader shows that in ten recorded acts of destruction across the county borough in 2019 that vandals have racked up more than £5,500 in damages to facilities used by local children.

Solway Banks, Ponciau Park and Heol Kenyon were all targeted on more than one occasion, the figures reveal.

Dated between January and November, the incidents range from destroying equipment like swings and zip wires, trashing bins and even causing fire damage.

A large portion of the vandalism is accounted for was in November across two sites in the area – namely at Solway Banks Skate Park and Queensway MUGA.

Both sites were targeted by vandals who caused fire damage to surfaces at a cost of £4,000 split across both play areas.

The Leader previously reported that last Bonfire Night, November 5, North Wales Fire and Rescue crews were called to a fire in the Solway Banks area that involved park equipment and wheelie bins.

In the same evening, a call was then made a mere ten minutes after extinguishing the park fire reporting that a rubbish fire was ablaze in the middle of a football pitch in Queensway.

At the time, both were recorded as deliberate starts.

The council has responded by saying that this type of destructive behaviour will not be tolerated by anyone.

Cllr David A Bithell, Wrexham Council’s lead member for environment and transport, has said: “Vandalism of any kind is not acceptable and causes upset to users and unwelcome extra costs for community councils and Wrexham Council, although, the responsibility for many play areas across the county now lies with community councils.

“We cannot assume it is only children who cause such vandalism, but we do encourage parents in particular to make sure they know where their children are and what they are up to.

“If any adult is found to be causing such damage, we would not hesitate to take action.

“We also work with community councils and local organisations where particular problems are identified in a particular area.”