Family's dismay as Clifton Park memorial bench is vandalised again

THE AUNT of a tragic former soldier has told of her disgust after his memorial bench was damaged by vandals for the second time.

Laura Spafford renewed her family’s calls to Rotherham Borough Council to install CCTV cameras in the memorial garden at Clifton Park after discovering graffiti scrawled on the wooden bench placed in memory of her nephew Kurtis, who died in 2015 aged 23.

“I went straight to the council to complain because this is happening too often and they are not doing anything about it,” she said.

“As soon I spoke to them they sent someone to clean it up but it can’t carry on like this.”

Back in April, Kurtis’ mum Nancy, of Beaumont Drive, Herringthorpe, said she was shocked to discover names scratched into the wood on the seat where the late former Coldstream Guard is remembered.

And two months ago, Rotherham Borough Council said it would look into the possibility of extra security measures after Brenda Jackman complained her late husband Richard’s bench had been damaged.

Cllr Sarah Allen, the borough council’s cabinet member for cleaner, greener communities, said the authority was still looking into the possibility of a security camera for the garden.

She added: “Ensuring Rotherham's parks and neighbourhoods are safe, clean and well-maintained is a priority for the council, and the graffiti to the memorial bench was removed as soon as we were made aware.

“We appreciate that when this happens it can be upsetting for families and friends, so we urge anyone who witnesses any incidents of anti-social behaviour to contact the police on 101, or any member of staff in the park.

“Thankfully, we see very few incidents of vandalism due to a high footfall in Clifton Park and we work closely with the police in patrolling the park.

“We are continuing to investigate possible funding for an additional CCTV camera, whilst also assessing whether or not it would have the desired effect in helping to reduce risk of vandalism.”