Vandals strike again in Sway as play equipment set alight on Stanford Rise Green
VANDALS struck at Sway again last night (Tuesday) setting alight children’s play equipment.
A resident came across a wooden tunnel ablaze on on Stanford Rise Green and called the fire service.
Stanford Rise Green is adjacent to the village hall which, in recent years, has had a wild play installation and wooden seating created using grants including one from the National Parks Authority.
The vandalism there is the latest incident in a spate of anti-social behaviour and vandalism that has been plaguing the village for more than a year.
The A&T have reported previously on how residents have had their windows smashed with stones, fires set, drugs and drinking dens set up and other incidents which have left people feeling “under siege”.
It is thought a small gang of youths catch the train into the village from New Milton to cause trouble.
Police have increased their presence in the village by establishing a drop in police hub at the village hall and stepping up patrols.
Residents also set up a new Neighbourhood Watch scheme along with a WhatsApp group to warn people of any anti-social behaviour.
The latest incident was discovered by Kieran White who posted photos of the fire online, adding: “Another night, another bit of vandalism in our village. Wooden tunnel in Stanford Rise Green currently on fire. Police and fire brigade on their way.”
In response, one resident said: “They are getting out of hand – and it’s getting dangerous.”
Another said: “Young kids play in that! What a stupid waste of police and fire time and resources just for a bit of ‘fun’.
“The more this happens the more our insurances go up. This needs to stop.”
One resident commented: “What is happening in our lovely village? Who are these vandals? Why do they seem to be getting away with this appalling behaviour?” Another warned: “If police won't do anything, time for us to deal with it our way.”
Sway Parish Council has previously condemned the vandalism and said it is liaising with police.
A spokesperson from Hampshire fire service said: “On-call firefighters at New Milton were alerted to a fire involving wooden play equipment on Middle Road in Sway at around half nine last night. The equipment was destroyed in the blaze which was extinguished using two hose reel jets.”
“Police were alerted as it is believed to have been set deliberately. HIWFRS returned to station following the stop message at 10.10pm.
A Hampshire police spokesperson said: “We were called by the fire service at 9.33pm last night to a report of a suspected arson incident at a play park in Anderwood Drive. Enquiries are ongoing.”
