Reward offered to catch play park vandals

A £500 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of vandals who wrecked a popular piece of childrens' play equipment.

Council Leader Pete Edwards described the vandalism at Lloyds Crescent Play Area as "mindless destruction".

Vandals smashed the bearings and arms of The Walz, a popular pole-mounted four-seat spinner. The cost of replacing the piece of equipment is in the region of £8,000.

Cllr Edwards: "If anyone out there knows anything about this attack, I would urge them to contact the police. The damage to the bearings was deliberate and would have required a massive effort to destroy it.
This is mindless destruction and pure thuggery. We mustn't let these people get the better of our city! Had the item been used in its vandalised state then this would likely have caused severe injury."

Exeter City Council said that it currently didn't have enough money to replace The Walz.

"For the time being this means one less item of play equipment for the children of Exeter," added Cllr Edwards.

This is the latest damage in a spate of vandalism at Lloyds Crescent Play Area. The Council will now remove the broken structure.

Anyone who has information about the vandalism should contact the police on 101 and give the Crime ref no DE/13/5104.