VANDALS have repeatedly targeted a play area in Wroughton, forcing the parish council to temporarily close it off and install CCTV.

The children’s play area at Weir Field playground on Devizes Road was persistently attacked by vandals, forcing it to close over the late May bank holiday weekend.

Vandals ripped up the rubber surfacing on three separate occasions , with the first incident happening on May 21.

A spokesperson for Wroughton Parish council confirmed they had repaired the surface three times in the space of a fortnight due to the repeated attacks.

“Three times the protective rubber flooring was destroyed overnight, so we decided to lock up the play area over the bank holiday weekend," a spokesperson said.

It also confirmed that vandals had locks and padlocks stolen from the area and a surrounding wall had also been damaged.

The repeated attacks have led to greater surveillance over the area and the installation of CCTV. The spokesperson added: "We’re keeping a close eye on things. We are continuing to repair the area, but the vandalism is quite persistent now.”

The parish said that it was costly both in terms of money and time to repair the rubber surfacing.

Stephen Pagett, vice chair of Wroughton Paris council, told the Adver: “In all honesty we do quite well in Wroughton in terms of facilities for playground equipment. So we don't have that much of an issue with frequent vandalism so when things like this happen it's really quite a nasty shock.

"It's quite rare for things like this to happen in Wroughton."

"The proximity to the Working Men's club and Ellendune community centre is kind of central to Wroughton so it's right in the public eye and it's quite surprising when that does happen."

"It's often not the children who are using the area that are damaging it, often it's because there's a limited facility for the children at the age that are causing the problem and they sort of regress in their behaviour. That's the main problem, it's just idle hands."

Work on a new BMX bike track on the Maunsell Way recreation ground started last month after a community fundraising effort to provide more facilities for youngsters. The parish council is also currently recruiting for volunteer youth workers and is in discussions about re-starting the village youth group.

Residents in Wroughton reacted angrily to the news on Facebook.

Jade Higgs wrote: “This is so sad and frustrating. It’s such a shame that so few ruin it for everyone.”

Olivia Dixon wrote: “Because of idiot mindless kids that are just having fun, the poor little ones lose the play area. It’s just not right. I do hope that the parents of these kids read the post and pass it on to their kids.”

In March vandals also damaged a climbing apparatus in the North Wroughton Play area, leaving the stand by the zip wire hanging off.

Anyone with more information on vandalism is being asked to contact the parish council on 01793814735 or contact the police on 101.