Vandalised park opens following repairs

Just now

Marc Gaier,in Halewoodand

Angela Ferguson,North West

News image — Children enjoyed playing on the park equipment at the opening event, council leader Graham Morgan said

BBC/Marc Gaier Two young boys wearing T-shirts, shorts and baseball caps are smiling while playing on climbing equipment at the park. — Children enjoyed playing on the park equipment at the opening event, council leader Graham Morgan said

A playground which was targeted by vandals days before it was due to open has officially opened after the damage was repaired.

Knowsley Council leader Graham Morgan said he was "really happy" to be opening the playground in Halewood, Merseyside, "after the horrendous mindless vandalism that was done in the park".

Equipment in Finch Woods park was sprayed with graffiti, with trees and safety surfacing also damaged and litter strewn across the site over the weekend of 8 and 9 August.

Morgan said council staff and contractors had worked so hard and "we were determined to get this open for all the children".

Speaking to BBC Merseyside at the opening of the park, he said it was good to see local children "really enjoying themselves" there.

"We wanted this park open as soon as possible because we are not going to let these idiots win," he added.

BBC/Marc Gaier A man with short grey hair and wearing a short-sleeved blue shirt and light brown trousers is smiling with his hands raised at either side of him as she stands next to a group of adults and children who are next to play equipment. The children and adults are all smiling. — The playground was opened by council leader Graham Morgan, with children from nearby nursery and school

Morgan previously condemned the "mindless vandalism", saying the incident left him "absolutely furious" and "it is the cost to the community that sickens me the most".

The cost to repair the equipment, remove the paint and assess any safety implications or wider damage was estimated to run into thousands of pounds, he said.

Knowsley Council A slide has been spraypainted with blue, red and yellow graffiti. It is part of climbing equipment which can be seen behind it. Damage can also be seen to safety surfacing behind it, with graffiti spraypainted onto this area too. — The playground was targeted by vandals just days before it was due to open

Morgan said the incident had been reported to Merseyside Police and CCTV from the area was being reviewed "to find those responsible and ensure they understand the impact of their actions".

The new facilities include separate junior and toddler play areas connected via a sensory path.

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