'This will not be tolerated': Vandals wreck display in Shrewsbury's Dingle
Vandals have trashed flowers at Shrewsbury's most popular gardens - just as Salopians prepare to enjoy them over spring and summer.
Blooms were ripped out of planters in the Dingle in the Quarry. It comes after the park was left strewn with rubbish by groups during the hot weather this week.
The behaviour "will not be tolerated", Shrewsbury Town Council clerk Helen Ball has said, and she urged anyone who sees such behaviour to tell the police.
Helen said: “We take great pride in our floral traditions in Shrewsbury and it is so frustrating to see people wantonly destroy the work of others here in the town.
“Our staff have worked incredibly hard over the last twelve months, often in difficult circumstances, as we maintain our essential services around the town.
“Unfortunately, we have encountered anti-social behaviour from a minority of people in Shrewsbury. We need the public’s help by adopting a zero-tolerance policy towards any vandalism of the floral displays within our parks and the town centre.
“Wanton acts of vandalism which blight both our parks and the town centre will not be tolerated. If you see something untoward, I urge everyone to do their bit for the benefit of the town and report it to the Town Council or the local policing team, who will be working closely with us to ensure that any vandalism is dealt with appropriately.”
The Central Shropshire Safer Neighbourhood Team has introduced a Section 34 dispersal notice to break up groups, and will be carrying out high visibility patrols in the area over the coming days.
On Wednesday evening, officers dispersed around 50 people who were breaking lockdown rules in the Quarry by congregating in groups larger than six people.
The park has been extremely busy since rules changed on Monday allowing people to meet in groups of up to six, or in larger numbers if only including two households.
To report any incidents of damage to the floral planters in the town, contact Shrewsbury Town Council on 01743 281010 during office hours or West Mercia Police on 101 or online at westmercia.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us/.
