IN response to your article regarding the mindless vandalism of the new play equipment in Pocket Park, I have to say that it came as no surprise to me. As a nearby resident, I did not support the inclusion of the play area for many reasons, the main one

IN response to your article regarding the mindless vandalism of the new play equipment in Pocket Park, I have to say that it came as no surprise to me. As a nearby resident, I did not support the inclusion of the play area for many reasons, the main one being that such areas seem to attract undesirable youths like moths to a flame. I am not tarring all youngsters with the same brush and I know that some use the equipment responsibly and do not cause any problems. However, only a few days after the first equipment appeared, we heard loud shouting and squealing late into the night and the next morning found a deluge of bottles and cans in the area behind Pocket Park. In the same week I witnessed a group of youths taunting and attacking someone and have also noticed a number of nesting boxes lying broken on the ground. As a dog owner and a grandmother, I am equally concerned about the amount of broken glass in the area around the play equipment itself. Sadly, it is no longer the quiet beauty spot it was, enjoyed and respected by locals who exercise their dogs there, which I feel is a great shame. If the council intended to improve the area, in my opinion they have failed.

ELY RESIDENT

Springhead Lane