Park pond destroyed by vandals after refurbishment

A new community pond has been destroyed by vandals, leading a council to appeal for witnesses.

Improvement works had been carried out to the pond at Leamore Park in Walsall recently by Starmac Surfacing Ltd, which transformed it from an unusable site to a place for children to enjoy.

The area was first put to use by Walsall Council's healthy spaces team for a pond-dipping and exploration session for toddlers last month.

But despite the site being locked overnight, the volunteers' efforts were thwarted by vandals after just one use. The following day, council officers arrived to see the pond destroyed.

Councillor Gary Flint, portfolio holder for health and wellbeing, said: "Situations like this are, quite frankly, demoralising. So much good work has been carried out here to create something for our children in Walsall to enjoy."

He added: "I can't thank the businesses who come forward and help us deliver projects like this enough. We want everyone to take pride in the borough and our surroundings.

"I would encourage residents to consider how they can support their local parks and green spaces."

He also said the council needed "everyone to take a stand against antisocial behaviour".

Mr Flint urged anyone aware of criminal damage or vandalism to report it to the council's community protection team, the police, or the charity Crime Stoppers.

Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.