A STRING of vandalism attacks on playgrounds in Colne has been condemned by town council bosses after they were left with a £10,000 repair bill.

Troublemakers have sabotaged equipment at no fewer than three locations across the town in recent weeks.

Police patrols are being stepped up after damage was reported at the King George V site, and the Millennium Green and Waterside play areas, amid fears over their futures.

Naomi Crewe, Colne Town Council’s administration manager, said: “We do not want to be forced to close any playgrounds.

“But the truth is we cannot continue to bear this level of expenditure at a time of constrained budgets.

“We are asking that people take photographs if they see vandalism taking place and report any damage to us immediately, so the police can attempt to catch the perpetrators.”

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Rubber matting at the King George V play area, off Skipton Road, has been sliced up by vandals, which will cost an estimated £3,300 to repair.

One of the gates at the Millennium Green site, off Greenfield Road, has been wrenched the wrong way, and a swing has been targeted, leaving repairs totalling £3,300 required.

And the Waterside play area, at the corner of Dam Side and Waterside Road, will cost £3,825 to put right after the rubber crumb safety matting was torn.

Miss Crewe added: “I am appalled at the damage inflicted on our playgrounds.

“To put this in perspective, £10,000 is the equivalent of the 176 average Colne households’ annual precept payment or the collective annual payments of one of the town’s prominent roads. What a total waste of money.”

The incidents are not the first to affect the town’s parks, after repeated attacks were reported at Alkincoats Park last August.

Trees were ripped up late at night and bowling greens, used by the Philip Green academy, had suffered as youngsters regularly rode their bikes and played football on the surfaces.

Town councillors, as part of a new £70,000 system for the town, installed CCTV security cameras at strategic points around the park.

Cllr Joe Cooney, Vivary Bridge ward councillor, said: “There are always bits and pieces of trouble in the park.

“What the cameras will do is stop kids messing about hopefully because they know they will get caught on film.”

People who witness trouble in or around the Colne play area sites in future are being asked to call 01282 861888, or e-mail admin@colnetowncouncil.org.uk

The town council assumed control of the play areas from the borough council.