Yobs targeted a park undergoing redevelopment over the weekend. Fire services were called to the Horwich park after two wheelie bins were set alight. An engine from Horwich Fire Station was sent to Old Station Park on Sunday (August 18) just after midnight.
Crews took 20 minutes to deal with the blaze. Cllr Ryan Bamforth, who represents Horwich North, said: “The council is sending out a team to assess the damage, do rapid repairs and see what further treatment needs to be done.” Cllr Bamforth said a nearby memorial bench was damaged by the fires.
He said: “It’s become apparent it was for a resident’s family member who passed. “One of the council officers who first responded to the incident said one of the possible outcomes was that the benches would be removed. “I think that would have a detrimental effect.
Those benches are used by numerous people in Horwich and visitors. They are a gathering point. “I don’t feel that because of one or two bad apples we should remove them.
” Anthony Bridge, of Horwich, said: “The 4G pitch, benches and restored railway buffers are all magnets for large groups of youths gathering who leave huge amounts of litter. “And this can escalate to situations like the bin fires. “There has to come a point when the council steps up on behalf of the majority to protect the use of public spaces from the brainless minority who choose to vandalise.
” Old Station Park has undergone major renovations over the years from a flood basin and safety lights to a play area. Cllr Bamforth said: “If we do manage to get part of the park regenerated, we’re going to put more lighting in and there are aspirations of getting an amphitheatre put onto the play area. “People who can cause antisocial behaviour will have a place they can sit and stand.
” But antisocial behaviour still occurs. Cllr Bamforth said: “I think this is a borough-wide issue. “There are activities around, but they are just not appealing to [teenagers].
It’s an unfortunate situation. “You’re always going to have a couple of bad apples. All you can try and do is give these individuals the opportunities to do and be better.
“The town as a whole needs to advertise the facilities available for the youth more and put on more activities. The council’s lost millions in funding over the years and unfortunately it’s had to cut back on its activities. “Sometimes the kids are bored, sometimes they are just showing off to their friends.
“Occupying them is what’s needed and unfortunately, at the moment, the council is not in a position to do that.” Cllr Victoria Rigby said: "I, along with the local residents, am extremely frustrated with the most recent arson on the park. This type of anti social behaviour is unacceptable and has a huge effect on the park.
Last time this happened, the fire melted the wiring under the tarmac and cut the electricity for the floodlights on the pitches, meaning local teams couldn't train for months - all for a couple of minutes of "fun". "So much work has gone into improving the park over the last couple of years, and we have so much more to come. One of the current issues is the high volume of litter around the park but the council are hesitant to add more bins due to instances like this.
It is so sad to see a park with huge potential be reduced to this. I know GMP are tackling ASB more, especially during the summer holidays, so hopefully we will see a reduction in this kind of behaviour." Police are also cracking down on anti-social behaviour as part of their Safe4Summer initiative which tries to involve young people in meaningful activities.
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