Arsonists strike again at Telford park
A park in Telford has been hit by vandals and arsonists for a fifth time, causing thousands of pounds damage.
Great Dawley Town Council says the park has fallen victim to a number of attacks, with the latest seeing a fires started in the children's play area.
The hopscotch equipment in Dawley Park was ruined after vandals started a fire on the site at about 11.20pm on Thursday night.
One crew from the Tweedale station went to the park on Doseley Road and used buckets of water to put out the flames.
Clare Turner, clerk to the town council, said: "It is such a shame that a small group of people do something like this to such a beautiful park. We work hard to keep the park as it is and it is just such a shame.
"There was a fire also started at the bottom of the bushes but there was a member of staff actually walking past so the fire service got to it ever so quickly. It could have been much worse.
"We are telling everyone to be extra vigilant."
The soft tarmac area used for the playground has been badly damaged and Ms Turner said it could be up to £3,000 worth of damage caused.
She added that it was not the first time it had fallen victim to a vandal attack.
She said: "It is the fifth time now. The park has also got a wooden sculpture in it that the Friends of Dawley Park created. That has been damaged a couple of times already and been fixed twice.
"There's also a willow seating area for reading and activities like that but that has been pulled out as well. Great Dawley Town Council's environmental team has fixed that.
"The Friends group is trying to do all these fantastic things and it is just so sad that they are being ruined.
"It is such a beautiful park. The community and volunteers do so much to it.
"I think it is a shame and it is very disheartening but the overall pride that everybody takes in the park is far greater.
"We are not going to let them win. The damage will not have that effect on the community.
"There were two fires started on Thursday night. If somebody hadn't spotted it, there could have been much more damage."
Anyone with information about the fires should call 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org
