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Heightened police patrols promised as latest vandalism at New Milton recreation ground hits town council with £750 repair bill




HUNDREDS of pounds of damage was caused when vandals struck again at New Milton’s recreation ground.

Two wooden gates ripped from their posts at the entrance to the multi-use games area (MUGA) by the green, off Whitefield Road, sometime between 4pm on Saturday 15th and 9.45am the next day.

Offenders also tipped over a planter trough on the recreation ground’s western boundary and broke a commemorative tulip tree’s support stakes. The tree itself was undamaged.

One of the recreation ground's planter troughs was tipped over by the vandals (Picture: New Milton Town Council)
One of the recreation ground's planter troughs was tipped over by the vandals (Picture: New Milton Town Council)

Town council estates and facilities manager Mark Jeffries projected the total cost of the damage at £750.

This was the latest in a series of incidents on and around the ground, including previous attacks on the MUGA.

One incident in summer 2021 saw equipment damaged, fences and padlocks cut, bins set alight, and broken glass scattered across the area. It cost the council around £15,500 to put right.

Two wooden gates were ripped from their posts at the entrance to the multi-use games area (MUGA) when vandals struck the recreation ground (picture: New Milton Town Council)
Two wooden gates were ripped from their posts at the entrance to the multi-use games area (MUGA) when vandals struck the recreation ground (picture: New Milton Town Council)

The hedge along both the MUGA and neighbouring tennis courts’ Whitefield Road boundary had already been replaced with a post and rail fence to improve visibility.

The New Forest District Council-run public toilets on the Old Milton Road side of the green have also been repeatedly damaged.

Lymington police Sgt Leigh Brown, who is currently providing cover for New Milton, told Monday’s town council meeting increased patrols were being carried out.

Vandals snapped support stakes for a commemorative tulip tree on the recreation ground (picture: New Milton Town Council)
Vandals snapped support stakes for a commemorative tulip tree on the recreation ground (picture: New Milton Town Council)

He understood “tens of thousands of pounds” of damage had been caused to the conveniences alone in recent months.

Referring to Saturday’s vandalism, town clerk Graham Flexman said NFDC was being asked to check its recreation ground CCTV footage.

Two wooden gates were ripped from their posts at the entrance to the multi-use games area (MUGA) when vandals struck the recreation ground (picture: New Milton Town Council)
Two wooden gates were ripped from their posts at the entrance to the multi-use games area (MUGA) when vandals struck the recreation ground (picture: New Milton Town Council)

He told the A&T afterwards: “Obviously, this latest incident of anti-social behaviour on the rec is disappointing.

“With enhanced CCTV promised, we hope this will ensure the rec in future becomes a no-go area as far as ASB and vandalism is concerned.”

Anyone with information should contact police online via hampshire.police.uk or call 101, quoting reference 44250071597.

Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously via crimestoppers-uk.org or on 0800 555 111.



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