Skate park ' sabotage' mystery

The internal pipe section of the park's French drain, which is designed to provide an outlet for excess surface water, was carefully dug up by the perpetrator and smashed to pieces.

But before leaving, the vandal removed the debris and replaced all the shingle and pebbles in the gully to cover up the damage.

Polegate mayor Ivy Scarborough said: 'I think it's absolutely appalling that someone could have done this. The long-term effects could have been very serious indeed.'

The town council has now offered a reward to anyone who can help bring those responsible to justice. The pipe will cost taxpayers about 500 to replace.

'It was certainly a very neat and tidy job,' said Rochelle McGlave, assistant town clerk. 'It was only when our groundsman found the shattered pipe on Monday morning that we realised what had happened.

'The drain will work without the pipe, but not as well. This seems like a totally pointless crime.'

Channel

The skate park, which was opened on October 20, is based in the Brightling Road recreation ground. The area has been subject to flooding in the past, so the drain was installed to protect the expensive, state-of-the-art equipment.

A French drain is little more than a deep channel containing shingle and pebbles. Surface water drains through the stones and is carried away by an underground pipe.

Cllr Scarborough, who masterminded the new skate park, said the vandalism looked carefully calculated. 'It was so neatly done, unlike usual wanton vandalism,' she said.

'To me, it sounds like it was done by someone who wants to stop the young people from using the park. I believe the kids who use it are so proud of it and so keen to use it that they are really maintaining it.

'Some people are very much against the park. We're often very quick to point the finger at youngsters but it's not always them.'

Anyone with information about the skate park vandalism can contact the town council on 01323 488114, where staff will pass the details on to the police. Alternatively, the police can be contacted directly on 0845 60 70 999.