A LOCAL councillor is calling on parents to take responsibility after a play park in Weymouth was defaced by vulgar graffiti.

The Marsh play park has only been open since December 2018 but has repeatedly suffered from criminal damage.

The play area and equipment cost £90,000 but several thousands of pounds have been spent on repairs since it opened. A trampoline was set on fire twice and a 'hip-hop' cost £2,000 to replace after being destroyed by vandals.

In the latest incident, residents visited the park on Saturday morning to discover vulgar graffiti had been spray painted over several pieces of play equipment.

Westham East Cllr Ryan Hope said: "It's disappointment for the community that the play area has been subjected to anti-social behaviour again.

"A lot of effort has been put into getting play equipment for the park so it is a great shame that there is a minority that are ruining it for everyone else.

"Those who are aware of who it is, don't be afraid to speak out and don't be tarred with the same brush as these people.

"The same goes for parents. Are you aware of where your children go in the evenings and what they get up to?

"Unfortunately we have a minority of individuals here that seem hell bent to do criminal damage.

"I've seen comments online and I know it's very easy for people to blame the council and blame the police but really it's the responsibility of the parents to know where their kids are and to make sure they aren't getting involved with this behaviour."

Emma Carter, 31, comes to the park with her sister and her children visit with their grandmother as well. She said: "That is disgusting really. Especially when you have kids at the age where they have started reading like my eldest.

"My mum brings my kids up here too and they notice things that have been broken. They actually say 'I wonder what's going to be broken next'.

"I don't know why they keep putting money into fixing it. I don't think there's anything anyone can do to stop this happening. It will get to the point where people will stop putting money into the park and it will all go to ruin."

A WEYMOUTH Town Council spokesperson said: “We were disappointed to hear that the Marsh play area has once again been targeted by vandals. As soon as we were made aware of this incident, two members of the team were sent to the site. An hour of their time was spent cleaning the graffiti away.

“We urge the community to report any suspicious activity to the police, and we will always look to prosecute anyone who seeks to damage community facilities in this way.

“Additionally, we would like to remind members of the public to report incidents of vandalism to the Town Council’s property directly to us. We are often able to respond in a more timely manner if people contact us either through our online contact form or by phone on 01305 239839.”

Anyone with any information should contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101.

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.