VANDALS have struck another play area in Bicester just weeks after it unveiled £37,000 of new equipment.

The 'disappointed' town council was forced to report further damage to its play areas to police after wooden equipment in Holme Square, Southwold, was kicked and damaged.

It follows two separate incidents where equipment has been broken in playgrounds despite the council currently carrying out an major £237,000 overhaul of play areas.

Bicester town councillor for the area and chairwoman of the environment committee Lynn Pratt said: "As far as we know it looks as if a panel has been kicked in on the tower which sits above the slide.

"We also had an incident three weeks ago where it looked like somebody tried to start a fire in the play area and left some sort of aerosol cans across the ground.

"Then we had vandalism at Bure Park also.

"It is just such a shame and so disappointing to have these areas vandalised so soon after they have been revamped."

The latest stint of vandalism in Holme Square means part of the equipment has had to be dismantled to remove the dangerous panel which had been left kicked in and splintered in half posing a safety risk.

It comes just two weeks after the the new apparatus was opened at the playground, which has undergone a £37,000 overhaul.

Parent Tammy Lester said: "It is not nice if they are getting damaged. Obviously there are a lot more children that are going to be wanting to use them."

The damage was reported to Bicester Town Council on Friday, March 24, and police say they are investigating.

It is the third time a play area has been vandalised in as many months in Bicester. Previously vandals targeted the playground in Lucerne Avenue after all the rubber matting was pulled up and grass underneath destroyed.

Mrs Pratt added: "It is not necessarily the money it is more just a nuisance. The council is spending all this money £237,000 on revamping several play areas across Bicester such as Bure Park, Southwold, Shakespeare Drive and Garth Park.

"So it is just infuriating that somebody has come along and done this."

She added: "Bicester Town Council are committed to investing in and refurbishing the play areas across the town so to have one vandalised in broad daylight so soon after its makeover is incredibly disappointing."

If you have any information on the damage please contact Bicester Town Council on enquiries@bicester.gov.uk or police on 101 with reference number 43170086365