Hunt for teen wreckers

Officers investigating the blaze on the park in Stone Ridings, Edlington, believe that a group of several youngsters, aged between 14 and 17, may be responsible for the attack.

The fire, which broke out at around 3am on June 4, resulted in the scorched and melted play equipment being removed from the park for health and safety reasons.

Insp Ray Mountford said: “As a result of the extensive damage, the children’s playground has been removed due to health and safety, leaving the local young children with nowhere to play due to this malicious damage.

“I would urge anyone who has any information on the identity of those involved to please come forwards.”

Cllr Cynthia Ransome, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “This is outrageous and I’m absolutely appalled that vandals have set out to deliberately destroy a park that is used by the entire community.

“I really hope we catch who did this and I will be keeping a very close eye on this incident to push for a heavy punishment for those responsible.”

Three of the suspected culprits spotted on the park around the time of the incident were seen wearing: a grey hoody with grey trousers; a black jumper with silver sequins on the front; and a black hoody that was up and tied tight around the face.

Anyone with information is being urged to contact South Yorkshire Police on 0114 220 2020, quoting incident number 234 of 4/6/2011.