Village 'devastated' by sensory garden vandalism

A parish councillor said the destruction of a sensory garden by a large group of teenagers was "devastating".

Police are appealing for information after the area, at Prestbury Play Park in Cheltenham, was vandalised on 1 December at about 15:45 GMT.

Plants were ripped from flower beds and signs and windchimes were broken during the incident, though much of this has now been repaired.

"We don't want it to happen again because it was really upsetting for the people that tend the garden and for members of the public that pass by every day," Sandra Attwood, from Prestbury Parish Council, said.

Ms Attwood said people passing by at the time took photographs and notified the parish council of the damage.

"While a lot of the damage has now been fixed, there are plants that still need replacing," she said.

"I was quite devastated because I think people do enjoy it and it seems mindless."

Police said the group of 15 teenagers are thought to have been about 15 years old.

Some were on bikes while others were on foot and all of them were described as wearing black clothing.

Ms Attwood urged anybody with information to contact Gloucestershire Police.

"If anybody would like to volunteer to help us with the garden... please approach the parish council," she said.

Wheelchair users and young mums with their children are among the frequent users of the garden, which is tended to by local volunteers on a weekly basis.

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