A CHILDREN'S play area in Lawford has been targeted by "mindless" vandals.

Riverview Play Area, in Colchester Road, was damaged overnight on Wednesday, June 19.

During that night the safety bar children hold onto on the dinosaur ride had been removed and the holding pins had been unscrewed from the side and thrown around the play area.

Potential drug paraphernalia and rubbish was also found at the play area.

Julie Langstone, Lawford Parish Council's chairman, said: "Yet again mindless vandalism has occurred over this play area, with the sit and ride dinosaur having the safety bar removed.

"Evidence of drinking and rubbish thrown over the area, including empty 'baggies' that could have contained drugs, were found over there too.

"This resulted in a report to the police.

"We do not need this behaviour in our village."

This is not the first time the play area has been vandalised.

The dinosaur which was damaged in this attack replaced another ride which had previously been vandalised, said Julie.

Last April, a mum was taking her one-year-old to the park when she found a clear zip-seal bag as well as a smashed whiskey bottle and broken glass.

There were also reports in 2017 of youths drug-taking, fighting and getting drunk in the play area.

Julie added: "Once again youths have ruined play equipment for children on the Riverview play area which is a lovely play park for youngsters."

Lawford Parish Council has spent more than £80,000 maintaining and up- grading the play area over the past decade.

If you have any information, call Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.