Kids reduced to tears after new play area in Central Park, Harold Hill, destroyed by arsonists
The newly revamped children's play area was badly arson-damaged. Picture: Marc Ayres - Credit: Archant
Children have been reduced to tears and residents left “shocked and upset” after arsonists caused severe fire damage to a new play area in Harold Hill.
Children have been left in tears by the damage. Picture: Marc Ayres - Credit: Archant
The vandals struck at Central Park on Friday night, setting ablaze the climbing frame and slide, and causing scorch damage to the specialist soft ground.
The play area has only been open for a couple of weeks. Picture: Marc Ayres - Credit: Archant
The revamped play area had only opened two weeks ago and had been well-received by youngsters, parents said.
It formed part of Havering’s Council’s £1.5m investment into the park and followed consultation with 1,500 residents.
Resident Marc Ayres, whose daughter used the site, said: “For this to happen has shocked and upset many people round here. This play area is fantastic for the kids and my daughter loved it. Such a shame.”
Mum Dawn Simson said: “The new park they built was wonderful, I took my son there and he loved it. Parents are disgusted [by the arson] and something needs to be done.”
Others have been voicing their anger on Twitter.
Most Read
- 1 Daughter pulls father out of care home after 'fall leaves him bedbound'
- 2 New three-storey building with flats looking to be built behind disused Rainham pub
- 3 The Hop Inn: Hornchurch pub named best in London for second year running
- 4 Romford mother lived in squalor after mental health 'failings', court hears
- 5 'Really proud’: Hornchurch mother tackles English Channel in relay swim for charity
- 6 Three found guilty of murder for involvement in fatal gunfight
- 7 London Assembly: TfL urged to rethink plans to cut 78 bus routes
- 8 London Fire Brigade Cadets on-hand to help Wennington residents trim hedges and clear up their gardens
- 9 Romford man arrested following multi-vehicle collision on M11
- 10 'Taste' of Notting Hill Carnival comes to Collier Row
Emma Tate wrote: “Absolutely gutted, Central Park [play area] has been burnt down. Kids loved it. Any chance they would rebuild it?”
Andrew Jeffrey added: “Kids crying regarding the fire in the park’s new play site, poor kids, the police need to find [the perpertrators].”
Check back here for updates.
Let the Recorder know how you feel about the arson. Email jane.ball@archant.co.uk or call 020 8477 3878.
