Vandals Target Park in Swansea as Flames Illuminate the Night Sky
A horrifying act of vandalism shook the community in Swansea, as park benches near a kids’ play area in Parc Melin Mynach were set ablaze on Monday night. The incident, believed to be deliberate, prompted responses from South Wales Police and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service. The flames engulfed two park benches and a bush, requiring the intervention of the fire service to extinguish the fire using backpack sprayers and beaters. Despite the efforts, there are no witnesses identified at this time.
Friends of Parc Melin Mynach, a community group dedicated to maintaining the park, highlighted that this act of arson is not an isolated occurrence. The group expressed concerns over a pattern of vandalism and arson plaguing the park over the past two years. The vandalism includes repeated incidents targeting benches and picnic tables that were originally installed through collaborative efforts with Swansea Council. Unfortunately, the recent vandalism spree involved the destruction of four benches within just one week, adding to the tally of three picnic tables and six benches lost since their installation.
The devastation caused by the vandals extends beyond the burnt benches, with the park also bearing the brunt of other anti-social behaviours. During a visit to the park, remnants of discarded shopping trolleys, graffiti, drug paraphernalia, and litter were observed, painting a grim picture of the deteriorating state of the once serene public space. The community group called for increased vigilance and collaboration to combat such destructive incidents and preserve the park for future generations to enjoy.
In response to the incident, the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service dispatched a crew from Pontarddulais fire station to address the fire at Melin Mynach skatepark in Gorseinon. The fire, involving two picnic benches, was swiftly extinguished by the crew members using appropriate firefighting equipment. The fire service confirmed that the fire was believed to have been started intentionally, indicating a malicious intent behind the destructive act.
South Wales Police officers are actively investigating the incident, having received a report of the benches being set alight on Heol y Mynydd in Gorseinon. Despite the efforts to identify witnesses, none have come forward thus far. Swansea Council’s parks department has been notified of the incident and is scheduled to remove the damaged benches, aiming to restore the park to its former state. The community is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities to safeguard public spaces from further vandalism.
The act of vandalism at Parc Melin Mynach serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by communities in preserving public amenities against destructive forces. It underscores the importance of community engagement and vigilance in deterring such antisocial behaviours and maintaining safe and welcoming environments for all. The incident has galvanised calls for greater cooperation between local authorities, law enforcement, and community groups to protect public spaces and uphold the values of respect and shared ownership among residents.