'˜My mum lets us do this', say youths who vandalised park

A vandalism spree in Mewsbrook Park is showing no sign of stopping as pressure builds for a meeting with police bosses.
Clive Fennell with the stolen life buoy. Picture: Stephen GoodgerClive Fennell with the stolen life buoy. Picture: Stephen Goodger
Clive Fennell with the stolen life buoy. Picture: Stephen Goodger

As previously reported, the Littlehampton park was targeted by vandals who cut down several saplings.

Friends of Mewsbrook Park chairman Clive Fennell condemned the act and reported the incident to the police – but he said this has not deterred them.

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Other young trees were pulled up and hedgehog boxes were smashed, grafitti was daubed on buildings, life buoys were stolen and pampas grass and a picnic bench next to the play area was set alight.

Clive Fennell has condemned the acts of vandalism in Mewsbrook Park. Picture: Stephen GoodgerClive Fennell has condemned the acts of vandalism in Mewsbrook Park. Picture: Stephen Goodger
Clive Fennell has condemned the acts of vandalism in Mewsbrook Park. Picture: Stephen Goodger

Most recently, the safety chains in the boating lake were broken and two coots nests were destroyed, likely killing the chicks that were about to hatch.

Mr Fennell said: “The mothers have spent all those weeks sitting on these eggs just for it to be destroyed by a couple of kids having fun.

“It seems such a shame. There doesn’t seem to be any respect for nature or wildlife.”

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Sussex Police confirmed it received a report on Tuesday, May 9 that damage had been caused to the lengths of chain and two young children were seen nearby. No arrests have been made.

Clive Fennell has condemned the acts of vandalism in Mewsbrook Park. Picture: Stephen GoodgerClive Fennell has condemned the acts of vandalism in Mewsbrook Park. Picture: Stephen Goodger
Clive Fennell has condemned the acts of vandalism in Mewsbrook Park. Picture: Stephen Goodger

According to Mr Fennell, the latest incident was committed on Saturday, May 6 by a boy and a girl aged around 10 years-old who were with a group of teenagers.

One eyewitness saw the pair break the chains, and then start hitting the coots nests with them. They were challenged on more than one occasion before being moved on. When they were told what they were doing was dangerous, one replied: ‘my mum lets us do this’.

Mr Fennell said the children were drenched and covered in mud from the lake.

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He said: “We try to make the park better for everybody and make it more inclusive, but a mindless minority is ruining it for everybody.”

Anyone with information about this incident can contact Sussex Police via [email protected] or call 101, quoting serial 666 of 09/05.

This comes as Littlehampton Town Council’s clerk Peter Herbert confirmed he would set up a meeting with police and crime commissioner Katy Bourne after Mr Fennell and other residents criticised the force’s response to vandalism in the town.

Littlehampton town mayor Ian Buckland said the incidents in Mewsbrook Park are ‘hugely disappointing’. He said: “Residents need to be assured that the police are available to respond to their calls; investigate crime and protect them, their property and their community.

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“Katy Bourne has kindly attended meetings previously to address problems in the town centre and I hope that she will be able to do so again regarding other parts of the Town.”

Katy Bourne said she stayed ‘closely connected’ with the town council and was looking forward to continuing their ‘close working relationship’.