VANDALS should face tougher consequences, councillors say, after a much loved Bradford park was hit in an "extremely sad" incident.

Councillors have described Myrtle Park as "under attack" after the damage, which is believed to have happened overnight between August 3 and 4.

Back in 2013, members of Bingley Youth Cafe were given £1,500 to give the bandstand a new lease of life.

Now, it has been scorched and left covered in smashed glass while the rubber flooring at the nearby play area in Crossflatts has been pulled up and thrown around.

It's the second time the bandstand has been damaged in recent months.

And while police search CCTV and appeal for information, these councillors believe "it's time to take back our public spaces".

Cllr David Heseltine (Bingley, Conservative) told the Telegraph & Argus: "Myrtle Park is under attack, recent damage to the safety matting in the kids play area has been added to last night by feral idiots trying to destroy the band stand.

"The softly softly approach to miscreants isn't working it's time to take back our public spaces and not to tolerate this type of behaviour

"If anyone has images that may catch the culprits I would ask do the right thing and share it so those responsible can be caught and dealt with.

"After all, repairing all the damage is expensive, it takes away funding form schools, youth services, mending potholes, looking after the old and other vulnerable people."

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or has any information is asked to contact the police via 101 quoting log number 488 of 5 August. Information can also be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Cllr John Pennington (Bingley, Conservative) said: "I find it extremely sad that certain elements of our community wish to scmp the facilities that are there for the rest of us to enjoy.

"This seems to be happening more and more.

"Police presence is always a good thing. The damage looks to be quite expensive."

Enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances including examination of local CCTV.

Inspector Adam Beecroft, of Bradford District Police, has appealed for anyone with information to come forwards.

The Inspector said: “We are in the early stages of our investigation into this incident.

"Any incident like this in a public area causes understandable concern to the community and we have deployed high visibility patrols into the area for reassurance.

“I would appeal to anyone who has any information about the incident to come forward and assist with our ongoing investigation.”