'Mindless' wheelie bin fires damage play areas

1 day ago

Eleanor MaslinEast Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

News image — North East Lincolnshire Council said a basket swing was destroyed at Quantock Park in Scartho following a fire

North East Lincolnshire Council A circular swing is suspended from play equipment with no basket in the middle. The tarmac underneath it is burnt, scorched black with the remainder of the basket swing and the rest of the tarmac is green. A field and other play apparatus can be seen behind it. — North East Lincolnshire Council said a basket swing was destroyed at Quantock Park in Scartho following a fire

"Mindless arson" was responsible for four wheelie bin fires at two playgrounds in Grimsby, the council has said.

Damage to the play areas at Barretts Rec, on Scartho Road, and Quantock Park in Scartho, would cost about £10,000 to repair, North East Lincolnshire Council (NELC) said.

It comes after three of the wheelie bin fires caused damage to tarmac near the swings and scorched part of a nearby hedge at Barretts Rec. Another bin set on fire at Quantock Park destroyed a basket swing that was above it.

Councillor Ron Shepherd from the authority said the incidents were "unacceptable".

"These parks are meant for families and people to enjoy, not to disrespect like this," he said.

NELC said the incidents on Barretts Rec are believed to have happened on 20 February and at Quantock Park on 11 January.

North East Lincolnshire Council A man in a black suit and tie with a white shirt and a lanyard is took next to a damaged play area apparatus. The green tarmac belong the metal bars of a swing has been scorched black. — The council said it would cost about £10,000 to repair the damage at both parks

It comes after NELC invested more than £25,000 in Quantock Park to bring in new play equipment and refurbish parts of the park in 2021.

Shepherd said: "All our parks are a source of fun and entertainment for the families and children of this borough and the small minority are ruining it for those people."

The council is asking for help to find out who was responsible for the fires.

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