Police CCTV warning to park vandals

Bins were tagged with graffiti, fencing was damaged and newly planted trees were snapped in a spate of anti social behaviour at Hawthorne Park in Hawthorne Road, Thornton.

The increase in incidents has been blamed on a spell of warm weather.

Police have been informed about the issues by the trust responsible for the park.

And they are hoping the message will get through that such behaviour will not be tolerated.

PC Emma McClaren, community beat manager for Thornton and Cleveleys said: “There seems to have been an increase in anti social behaviour on Hawthorne Park.

“We have no way of knowing who was responsible for the damage but have put out an appeal through social media was an attempt to raise awareness to the public and ask them to help us in deterring any such behaviour in the future.

“The last thing any of us want is Hawthorne Park becoming a problem area within our community. I visited this week and found young families and teenagers alike and there was no trouble which is exactly as it should be.

“The neighbourhood policing team will be patrolling the area over the next few weeks and we have arranged for the CCTV van to be left nearby as a deterrent.

“Hopefully this will be enough to prevent further issues.” Coun Lynn Walmsley, who represents Marsh Mill Ward on Wyre Council understands the issues young people faced but called on them to respect their community,

She said: “I’m aware this is an issue not only in Thornton.

“But I want people in the ward to come to me with any problems of this kind so we can get a picture of what is happening and sort it out.
“I understand the problems of young people, struggling for places to gather.

“But causing damage does not help them or other residents who want to enjoy these facilities.”