Appeal after 'attempted arson' at play park

A play park has been vandalised for the third time since opening less than a year ago, the council has said.

Torridge District Council said an attempted arson incident took place at Victoria Park in Bideford, which opened in April 2024, between 20:00 GMT on 16 January and 08:00 GMT on 17 January.

Despite damage to the play area tower, it remained open for use and the authority said the burnt platform would be replaced in "due course".

Devon and Cornwall Police said at this time, there were no "viable lines of enquiry" however if further evidence came to light the incident could be "re-visited".

The council said: "Unfortunately, we have to report that an attempted arson incident has taken place in Victoria Park.

"The photos below show that there has been burning at the very top section of the tower in the new play area.

"This is the third time the new play area has been vandalised."

The authority said it was in the process of calculating costs to repair the equipment.

Police asked anybody with information to contact them.

Offensive graffiti was found at the park in September last year and a few months later, in November some of the play equipment was defaced with paint.

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