A FAMILY was so disgusted with the damage caused by vandals at a park play area that they cleared up the mess themselves.

Tracy Suddick went along to Wyke Park on Wednesday with her son, Matthew Liversedge, his partner Lucy Brooke and their two-and-a-half year old daughter, Harley-River.

“We do go there regularly because we take my granddaughter to play but she couldn’t on Wednesday because of smashed glass bottles and a slide which looked like someone had tried to burn it,” said Tracy.

“The rubber matting which is there to protect children had been pulled up and thrown around.

“We went straight to a shop to buy brooms and a dustpan and brush and the three of us swept all the mess up and put it into bin liners.

“We collected four full ones in total and then took them home to get rid of them with our own waste.

MORE TOP STORIES

“This is a family area where people bring their children for some fresh air and to play safely.

“There are problems with gangs of teenagers in Wyke who are causing anti-social behaviour.

“To think they would come to a children’s play area and cause such damage is really disgusting.

“What is more upsetting is that I spoke with someone the day after and they told me the vandals had been back that same night and done it again.

“I’m emailing Bradford Council because I don’t think they are doing enough.

“I think the council should go and speak to local schools about how the vandalism is affecting others.

“With it being a children’s area I don’t expect CCTV cameras could be used but there must be something like Neighbourhood Watch that we could do.

“A few people there thanked us for clearing the mess away but unless action is taken the damage will just carry on.”

Councillor Rosie Watson (Lab, Wyke) yesterday said she had been told of the vandalism, saying there had been problems for a few weeks with groups of youths across the south of Bradford.

Councillor David Warburton (Lab, Wyke) added: “I saw the damage yesterday at around 9.30am and informed the police though it had already been reported.

“It really was wanton vandalism. Fortunately we were able to get it repaired quickly without having to close the area.”

Cllr Warburton said the council and police were trying to establish a new contact point near the centre of Wyke to provide a presence and to report incidents.

A previous building used was in need of repair.

A council spokesperson said yesterday: “We received a report of the play area at Wyke Park having rubber surface damage last night and early this morning.

“Our play maintenance operative made repairs to the top and base layers of rubber as an area of around 1m x 2m had been ripped out. The repair cost £200. As repairs were made in the early morning there was no closure to the play area.”

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson added: “We are making further enquiries to establish who is responsible for this damage.

“Anyone with information which may assist is asked to contact the Bradford South Neighbourhood Policing Team on 101, or by using the Contact Us options on the West Yorkshire Police website.

“Information can also be reported anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”