Vandals destroy new £2,000 playground gate

After being put into place to ensure better security for children using the Maesydre Playground, vandals have wrecked a gate and there’s a further report that they have also targeted the playing fields’ toilet facilities.

One Town Council officer has told us that the gate alone cost around £2,000 to install, a hefty figure that will have to be picked up by the town’s council tax payers to put it right.

With their tongue firmly rooted into their cheek, Welshpool Town Council described it as an “impressive feat”, adding that “we’re not entirely sure what possessed someone to put quite that much effort into breaking a playpark gate”.

“The result is that council staff now need to repair it - using time and public money that could be much better spent looking after and improving our parks and open spaces,” a spokesperson said.

“Our play areas are there for everyone to enjoy, particularly children and families. Please help us look after them.”

Former Mayor, Cllr Nick Howells, was fuming and said “it really is beyond me” why someone would be so determined to vandalise.

The Town Council officer also described it as “disheartening”, adding that the public toilets had also been vandalised over the weekend.