BROMSGROVE District Council has called on community-minded residents to help combat a spate of vandalism which has blighted the town’s Sanders Park and cost taxpayers thousands of pounds.
In the last three weeks vandals have covered equipment in the park in graffiti three times and each time the authority has cleaned it off more has appeared.
Some of the surfaces have had to be replaced because they cannot withstand such rigorous cleaning which has led to the public purse footing the bill and taken officers away from other projects across the district.
The incidents have prompted the council to appeal to volunteers and community groups to come forward to help clean the graffiti and return the park to its original condition.
The council’s cultural services manager Ray Cooke said: “The graffiti is of poor quality so really is an eyesore especially as it has been put on practically every flat surface in the park.
“Officers work hard to maintain the park so it can be enjoyed by all of our residents but we only have a certain amount of resources.
“By pulling together as a community I hope we can return the park to a state where it can be enjoyed by everyone once again.”
Coun Peter Whittaker whose portfolio covers parks, added: “Some graffiti does enhance urban areas and we are happy to work with talented artists in a constructive way, but this is, frankly, just a blot on a lovely landscape.
“Sanders Park is one of the jewels in Bromsgrove’s crown and I am absolutely disgusted that it is being treated with such disrespect and contempt.”
The council has also appealed to anyone who sees people graffitiing surfaces to immediately report it to the police by calling 101 so the culprits can be caught.
Community safety officer David Rischmiller said: “The tag is very distinctive – someone must know who it is and can help.”
Anyone wanting to help with the clean up of Sanders Park should call the parks team on 01527 881382.
