Vandals pull up decorative plants at Page Park in Staple Hill - police investigating

Volunteers at Page Park in Staple Hill have described vandalism around the park’s bandstand as a ‘kick in the teeth’ - as Avon and Somerset Police launch an appeal for information on the criminal damage.

Several recently-planted plants and shrubs were pulled up from flower beds surrounding the band stand. Earth was also left scattered across the band stand, along with empty alcohol bottles and some plants.

It happened overnight on Monday, May 17.

Avon and Somerset Police confirmed to BristolWorld it was investigating the report of criminal damage and asked anyone with information to call 101 giving the reference number 5222118086.

Ian Boulton, from Friends of Page Park, said: “Whoever did this made a real mess with pulled up plants spread around the band stand - there was no physical damage, but these plants and shrubs were only recently planted by volunteers who work so hard to make the place look nice.

“It feels like a real kick in the teeth when people don’t respect the work we are doing.”

Mr Boulton urged anyone who sees antisocial behaviour in the park to contact police.

He said: “We’re entering that period of longer and warmer nights now. It feels to me like those who did this were testing the boundaries for what they can get away with - we need to make clear right from the start that his is not on.”

Next week, to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebration, the friends’ group is holding a major event at the park on June 5, from 11am to 5pm with music, food and crafts.

The group, set up in 1999, has worked to improve facilities at the park for local community. Projects include a new cafe and restoring the park’s famous clock tower.

For more information on the group, visit www.friendsofpagepark.co.uk