New Alcester skate park struck by vandals
The scourge of vandalism has once again reared its head in Alcester after the town’s new £96,000 skate park was left daubed in offensive graffiti.
The new facility site on Jubilee Fields had not even been opened, when the vandals struck twice on consecutive nights last week.
In light of the recent attacks, Alcester Town Council is looking to establish a zero-tolerance policy on offensive or slanderous graffiti, warning that anyone caught may face prosecution for criminal damage.
Efforts have been made to try and remove the graffiti and masonry paint may have to be applied to hide it.
The council is also considering whether to install CCTV close to the site to monitor any such behaviour and is discussing whether a professional graffiti artist can be brought in to decorate the park involving local young people.
The council acknowledges that graffiti is to be expected at the site as it is part of the culture around skating, but would prefer it to be inoffensive and done in a controlled manner.
The new skate park was paid for via a section 106 agreement with a local housing developers with Alcester Town Council actively engaging with Alcester Youth Council to decide what type of facility was most wanted by youngsters in the town.
The news that yet another local amenity aimed at young people has been targeted by vandals is particularly upsetting coming so soon after an attack on the play park in Moorfields Park.
That incident saw a new accessible swing, worth several thousands of pounds, damaged by fire and areas of the play surface affected.
Last year there were also incidents of arson at the Greig Hall.
Cllr Mike Gittus said: “My view is that I deplore the fact that a youngster has sprayed graffiti on the park, but I would add that I think it is all about ownership. This graffiti was sprayed when there were fences up around the site and the site was in limbo, not being used. Once youngsters start using it I don’t think they will stand for people spraying this type of graffiti, they will police it themselves. Of course I am a little disheartened and it is no excuse but when you type skate park into Google, it is hard not to find one without graffiti on it.
“I can’t say I understand why someone would do this, but I don’t think these kinds of acts are always as malicious as they seem. I suspect this was the work of one individual who may have slipped through the net and was looking to shout out. The good thing is that this paint is already beginning to wear off.
“Despite this graffiti it was great to see dozens of youngsters using the park last night when the town council went to visit the site.
“There have been acts of vandalism in Alcester but I think the opening of the youth club will have a positive effect and will provide young people with things to keep them occupied.”
The town council has called for anyone who witnesses anyone committing such offences to call them on 01789 766084 or to report the matter to police on 101.
