MINDLESS vandals damaged multiple areas in a town during a “hellbent mission to cause havoc” across Dovercourt.

The string of offences saw the skate park, off Wick Lane, needing repairs after a wheely bin was set on fire, damaging the surface.

Glass also posed a health hazard as a smashed vodka bottle was left strewn across the floor.

And, next to the skate park, a wooden door was ripped off its hinges at Lifestyles swimming pool’s pumphouse building and used to fuel the fire.

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After working hard to get the skating facilities available for young people in the town to enjoy, the incidents have left town councillor Jo Henderson deeply saddened.

“It’s sickening,” she said, “If people realised how hard you have to work to get these facilities then maybe they would think twice.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: A smashed vodka bottle can be seen in the bottom leftA smashed vodka bottle can be seen in the bottom left

“They clearly don’t use the park or otherwise they wouldn’t want to destroy the surface, which is now going to cost a lot of money to repair. It’s a specialist surface and can’t just be redone instantly.

“It’s mindless, I can’t understand what they actually get out of it. There are so many young people who appreciate it, why on earth would someone do this?

“The antisocial behaviour going on in the town at the moment has to stop, with glass being smashed someone is going to get seriously injured – it’s an accident waiting to happen.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Smashed glass was found strewn across one of the rampsSmashed glass was found strewn across one of the ramps

“Those behind this seriously need to grow up and show some respect, they’ve disrupted a lovely space that young children like to enjoy.

“It’s only a handful of people, there are far more good young people out there than those causing havoc, and I’d like to praise the ones doing the right thing, but the minority are ruining it for everyone.”

The incidents come after talks began for Dovercourt’s skate park to be one of 100 in the country which will benefit from having free skateboarding lessons provided.

Team Rubicon, one of the UK’s leading providers of lessons within the sport, is looking for 100 skate parks to join it in a nationwide Talent Pathway programme.

Harwich Town Council confirmed it will be covering the £920 cost to cover the coaching in a bid to get people enjoying the outdoors post-pandemic.

But now Mrs Henderson is concerned the town’s bid could be in danger as a result of the crimes.

She added: “They could now say our surface has been damaged and we can’t use it as it’s not up to standard.

“We won’t let it deter us and will be making the repairs, but if someone out there knows anyone responsible for what has happened I would ask them to come forward and help put a stop to this.”