Canons Park table tennis courts vandalised (From Harrow Times)

Canons Park table tennis courts vandalised

1:20pm Wednesday 29th July 2009

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THESE are the remains of table tennis surfaces smashed by “mindless vandals” less than a week after they were unveiled at a Harrow park.

Police believe a “heavy implement”, some residents say a sledge hammer, was used to break the two concrete tables on Friday night, leaving them strewn across the new playground in Canons Park.

Cynthia Greenspan, 62, owner of the Good Friends Cafe, said: “We came in the next morning and they were smashed – absolutely demolished.

“It must have been done with a sledge hammer because the tables were re-enforced concrete and were fixed to the concrete underneath. You cannot do that by hand.

“I was absolutely shocked, it's ridiculous behaviour, but to be honest I wasn't surprised. I'm not surprised when anything is vandalised in this country anymore.”

The new playground in the park, off Whitchurch Lane, had its official opening on Sunday, July 19, after being in use for several months.

Friends of Canons Park helped Harrow Council and politicians campaign to get Lottery funding for the revamp for around six years before the project was eventually awarded £85,000, pooled with £50,000 from the council.

Sharon Graham, a member of the group's committee, said: “The vandals have made a terrible mess of the tables and one was completely smashed up.

“I just don't know why someone would want to take away the pleasure that people have been getting from them.

“When I went to the playground, there was a father and son standing there with table tennis rackets literally just hitting the ball to each other because they couldn't use the tables.”

Police believe the tables were vandalised between 10pm on Friday and 5am on Saturday.

PCSO David Dale, of Canons Safer Neighbourhoods Team, said: “This is mindless vandalism. The table tennis tables were part of a playground which is very well used, especially now during the holiday season.

“You would need a heavy implement to cause that amount of damage.

“The table tennis tables will be replaced, but obviously it's tax payers who foot the bill, not the mindless vandals themselves.”

Officers cordoned off the section of the playground where the tables stood on Saturday and are appealing for witnesses to help with their investigation.

Anyone with information can contact the safer neighbourhoods team on 0208 721 2995, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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