Kindhearted well-wishers raise hundreds to help repair damage after sickening attacks on West Park in Jarrow

As reported in the Gazette, vandals targeted West Park in Jarrow twice in three days – torching a picnic bench, smashing fence panels, and attempting to burn down a bandstand.

After the upsetting incident, Friends of West Park Jarrow, who help maintain the park, set up a Go Fund Me page in the hope of raising £1,000 to replace the picnic tables which were destroyed.

And the money has come flooding in, with the community raising the hoped-for amount within a week.

A spokesman for Friends of West Park Jarrow said they were determined not to let vandals ruin what is a much-loved open space for households to enjoy.

A spokesman for the group said: “We were devastated at the mindless vandalism that have taken place in the park. We work so hard to keep the park looking its best for the community to enjoy.

“The picnic tables in the park are very well used all year round and we hope by setting up the Go Fund Me page that we can raise enough money to replace the damaged picnic table and have it installed by the spring.

"We can not let these mindless individuals spoil our beautiful park."

Police said they have stepped up patrols to catch culprits who caused the damage over three nights.

They warned the perpetrators their crimes will not be tolerated – and pledged to crackdown if they are identified.

The £500 wooden picnic bench, paid for by the Friends, was set alight on Thursday, November 19.

Just 24 hours later, wooden fence panels were smashed in a second deliberate act of vandalism.

And on the following Sunday evening a fire was started on the concrete base of the wooden roofed bandstand, with a further arson attack just outside the park.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated, and an investigation has been launched to identify those responsible.

“Anyone found to have been involved can expect to be dealt with swiftly and robustly. Increased patrols are being carried out.”

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