Halton Borough Council is appealing for information to help catch mindless vandals who destroyed the newly completed glasshouse and threw eggs at a local war hero’s statue in Victoria Park.
Residents, volunteers, councillors and staff were outraged at the wanton vandalism at the weekend when the culprits smashed numerous glass panes at the glasshouse and splattered egg on the nearby bronze statue of Thomas Mottershead VC.
The new glasshouse was the result of a five-year project completed just before Christmas and it is estimated to cost around £10,000 to repair. The glasshouse is home to the Butterfly House during the summer, run by volunteers from Victoria Park Environmental Team who were just about the take it over to begin their activities.
Council Leader, Cllr Rob Polhill, said: “This is outrageous, unwarranted vandalism. The culprits need to know this is unacceptable, so let’s hope they are caught and prosecuted.”
Cllr Ron Hignett, portfolio holder for parks, added: “It is disgraceful and disrespectful what they have done. So much care and hard work by staff and volunteers goes into making the glasshouse a lovely place for residents to enjoy, and to attack a memorial to a local hero is appalling.”
The Council is adamant, however, that this has not deterred them from starting on the repairs straight away and continuing to keep the park looking as beautiful as ever.
“Our parks are really valued by our residents and we remain committed to them. We will not let the actions of a few beat us,” said Cllr Hignett. “If anyone has information about who was involved in the incidents, please come forward.”
Cheshire Police would like to hear from anyone that may have information relating to this incident or to the identification of the offenders to contact Cheshire Police on 101 or via the Cheshire Police website, quoting incident reference IML601102.
Alternatively, information can be given anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.