REDDITCH Borough Council has spoken out after a community event space has been subjected to persistent vandalism.
The Canopies, designed to be the town’s own ‘pocket park’, has been vandalised numerous times, most recently last weekend.
The vandalism was reported to the council on Monday morning after Place Team officers discovered lots of newly-planted foliage had been pulled out of the beds.
Anything that could be salvaged has been replanted but some of the new plants had vanished.
The damage has been reported to police.
This is the latest in a spate of ongoing vandalism to the area, which aims to be a welcoming public open space.
In the past few months, the new benches, tables, mural and walls have suffered frequent graffiti.
There has been regular destruction of property such as lighting and irrigation systems and one of the new round benches was set alight.
The council says it is continuing to work with the police and its CCTV operators to discourage more vandalism in the area.
The council’s portfolio holder for community safety, Coun Lucy Harrison, said: “It is very disheartening to learn that someone has caused such damage to this lovely community space.
“The Canopies has been positively received by the public and provides a great space for events in our town. News of this vandalism will likely leave residents and businesses saddened.
“We will not allow such acts to ruin this for the wider community.”
In the past few months, the new benches, tables, mural and walls have suffered frequent graffiti.
Council leader, Coun Matt Dormer, said: “Special thanks go to our Place Team which repeatedly cleans up the mess left by selfish anti-social individuals.
“The Canopies is an excellent space for community events and has been enjoyed by hundreds of people since its creation. To know it is being vandalised is just so disappointing.”
Anyone with information on the damage or who is causing it should call police on 101.
