VANDALS smashed 10 windows in Corporation Park’s Victorian conservatory.

Police discovered the damage on a routine patrol of the Blackburn park, and reviewed CCTV footage, which showed a group of people close to the landmark on New Year’s Eve.

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They were seen on the footage between 10.10pm and 11pm and officers would like to speak to them in connection with the incident.

The building was targeted in a similar attack around two years ago, although it is not known whether the two incidents are related.

Sergeant David Wilson said: “This is an act of vandalism on an historic building, and I would appeal to anyone who knows who is responsible to give us their names.

“A group apparently arrived in a vehicle at 10.10pm from the West Park Road entrance, and it may be that this was a parent driving or a taxi. There are six males and they have some distinctive clothing on.

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“This building has been targeted previously and there really is no sense to it whatsoever.”

Chairman of Corporation Park Supporters’ Group Helen Roscoe said: “We’re absolutely heartbroken.

“We do so much so that everyone can enjoy the park and everything in it, and our main emphasis has been on raising money so that we can restore the conservatory, because it’s a very important part of the park.

“We will work closely with the police to find out who has done this and bring them to justice. We’re urging anyone, if they have any information, if they overheard anyone discussing it, to please let police know.”

Just days before the incident, members of the group and local councillors expressed concerns about potential staffing cuts in the park leading to an increase in crime.

Following the vandalism, Ms Roscoe said she feared the situation would get worse if cuts go ahead. She said: “We’ll be back to where we were five or six years ago when there was vandalism, graffiti, attacks on people in the park, and visitors felt unsafe there.

“Without the staff we’ll be back to square one, and this vandalism is an indication of what’s to come.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact PC Matt Whitworth on 01254 505679.