Vandals attack ATM, bus shelter and bins

DUP Alderman Gary Middleton said: “I was up in Strathfolye looking at what amounts to a lot of damage as a result of this spate of vandalism.

“They’ve smashed up a bank machine, one of the few resources in the area. A bus shelter has been smashed to bits. Every pane has been smashed. Bins have been set on fire and a wall has been knocked down.

“This has to be condemned. I don’t know what purpose it serves. People are now deprived of a number of resources on which they depend.”

A spokesperson for the Enagh Youth Forum (EYF) also ‘openly condemned’ the mindless attacks which it says takes place mainly at weekends.

However, the spokesperson highlighted the lack of resources and access to services in the area at weekends.

The spokesperson stated: “We at Enagh Youth Forum have a number of positive diversionary programmes in place for young people but we can’t do it all on our own and we would call for a holistic working partnership of all local groups who work for the benefit of the local community and young people.

“We ourselves have been pro-active in trying to maintain community safety and promote community harmony locally as well as trying to increase services available and structured activities for young people.

“We also continue to pursue the logic of our argument for a fixed play park provision for the area as well as a youth drop in centre and support service at weekends.”

According to the EYF this low level anti-social behaviour and vandalism is on stark contrast to a lot of good things also happening in Strathfoyle.

“The Greenway extension project, play provision talks are now happening, a monthly community safety form meets and just last week Enagh Youth Forum in partnership with NI Railways have secured 400 meters of new fencing to prevent young people from accessing the railway lines.

“We at Enagh Youth Forum believe that everybody has a responsibly for the upkeep and maintenance of Strathfoyle and have to do their bit to make Strathfoyle a better place for all to live in,” the spokesperson stated.

A spokesperson for the PSNI said the force is appealing for information following substantial criminal damage caused to a bank machine at Temple Road Strathfoyle during the early hours of Sunday morning, December 2.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has any information is asked to contact Police on 0845 600 8000 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.