Vandals wreck rock snake community artwork

Vandals have attacked the Abbey Meads Rock Snake.

The artwork, made up of more than 1,000 painted stones, was created by local families and became a symbol of hope and community amid the Coronavirus lockdown.

Many of the stones were painted by children, and designs ranged from flags to messages of love and support for NHS staff and other key workers.

Images of the work were viewed thousands of times on social media.

Haydon Wick Parish Council announced via its Facebook page that vandals had been seen dismantling the snake and using some of the stones to attack equipment in the nearby Heaton Close play area.

The vandalism came as ways of making the artwork a permanent local fixture were being explored.

The parish council said it had made the area safe and gathered the remainder of the stones for safekeeping.

Anybody with information about the attack is urged to contact the police.

A force spokesman said: “We are investigating an incident of criminal damage where stones were thrown at the play area in Heaton Close, Swindon.

“It happened on Monday evening, 29 June, and we are carrying out enquiries.

“Anyone with information should call Wiltshire Police on 101, quoting crime reference 54200062862. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”