Angry Bonds Street residents hit out at anti-community vandals

Over the past week vandals went on the rampage in the Waterside estate ripping out shrubbery and destroying recently planted saplings in a new community facility, which opened last June. The culprits also made off with four bird boxes that had been installed in the park which local residents spent years campaigning to raise funds to build.

This is just the second summer season the people of Bonds Street have had a chance to enjoy the park which eventually came about as the result of co-operation between the Big Lottery Fund, Derry City Council, Breathing Places, PSNI and the Housing Executive.

It was designed to ensure the maximum number of young people - including pupils at Ebrington Primary School - could be included but it seems some young people are actively working against the interests of the community.

Chairman of the Bonds Street Community Association, Lloyd Magee, said the play park has been a real hit with local people but a minority of vandals seem intent on destruction.

He appealed for anyone who has information or who has witnessed an act of criminal damage in the play park to come forward to a member of the local community association or report the incident to the PSNI.

"The park is just open a year now and it's terrible to have people come in and cause damage like this," he said.

"The committee decided it was time to do something about it as it's been increasing recently. They've come in and ripped out all these shrubs and damaged one of the trees. Enough is enough," he said.

"Some of the damage to the trees couldn't have been done by young children. It was older boys that did this," he added.

One local resident told the Sentinel people in the area were "very angry" at the wanton destruction.

"Of course, we are angry," she said. "Everyone enjoys the park. It's terrible people are doing this."

A spokesperson for Derry City Council said officers from the city engineers department visited the Bonds Street Play Park to assess the damage and that it was working closely with the local community association in its appeal to the public to be respectful of the play area.

"The facility is provided for the benefit of the people living in the area and attacks of vandalism like this are an attack on the whole community," the spokesperson added.

DUP Alderman and Deputy Mayor Drew Thompson backed the residents appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Mr Thompson - a key figure in the Waterside Area Partnership which promoted the play park - said anyone with information should contact a member of the Community Association or the PSNI.

He said: "This is an attack on the community. I would appeal for anyone who witnesses any of these people to come forward."

The DUP Alderman also said vandalism at public parks throughout the city carries a hidden cost with ratepayers and taxpayers ultimately footing the repair bill.