Do you know where your children are? Residents point the finger at youths for vandalising community park

Residents from Upper Stratton are calling on parents and local schools to take action against youths destroying their local park.

Merton Fields, known to locals as 'the Millennium Park', is claimed by Upper Stratton residents to be under threat by gangs of children and teenagers in the area who are tearing down trees and destroying the wildlife. The area itself is used by many members of the community from dog walkers and scout groups, to pensioners and local schools.

Dog walkers who frequently use the park have noticed the increasing damage which been inflicted on the area, and what is known to some as 'Stratton's hidden secret' has over the years become a hot spot for vandalism. Residents have tried calling the local police to help address the problem but are yet to see any action being taken.

Local resident Mary Hodson said: "The police don't want to know. At least four to seven trees within five days have been hacked down - you can see the axe marks. Yes we're angry, but we're also very sad.

"People who walk on their own are wary of saying anything to them, especially at night. Pensioners are trapped inside and lonely, and this place is an outlet - this used to be a place of calm.

"It's been going on for years - this is the final straw."

The residents suspect that the youths responsible attend the surrounding schools, but as the children change out of their school uniforms they have been unable to identify any of them. The community are now calling on schools and parents to help address this growing gang culture that targets Merton Fields and vandalises it.

Mary added: "Please teach your children to respect living things - tell your children to stop."

Another local resident Chris Valters said: "You want the kids to come over, use and enjoy the space, but the sad thing is they leave their rubbish."

Stratton St Margaret Parish Council have made numerous efforts to maintain the upkeep of Merton Fields, but as the damage tends to occur overnight they are left to deal with the aftermath in the morning.

Parish Council worker David Goodall said: "I'm angry because it's me who's got to pick up the pieces. I take pride in this parish, and what I do, and I just get kicked in the teeth.

"Soon we're gonna run out of plants - people just keep nicking them. The council have spent thousands on planting flowers and trees here, it's ridiculous. One morning when I came, two daisy patches had been nicked - once they're gone, they're gone.

"It's the glass as well - we can't come here every day to clear it up. These yobs are costing the council thousands - they break into the bins, set fire to them, and smash them. There's a reason a play set hasn't been put here."

Residents claim to have picked up a total of 41 dirty needles just in one morning as well as condoms, used sanitary products, and empty alcohol bottles. They are hoping to raise awareness of this vandalism with hopes to make parents and the surrounding schools proactive in trying to resolve the issue.