New measures to protect Easebourne Park from vandals

Broken beer bottles and drug paraphanalia routinely appeared in the award-winning green-space, leading to a public fundraiser to help Easebourne Parish Council cover the cost of the cameras.

Vandals leave smashed glass and drugs strewn across Easebourne ParkSpeaking on behalf of the council, cllr Ian Milne said the council was pleased to announce the installation on Thursday (September 3) following our successful fundraising campaign.

He said: "A very big thank you to everyone who contributed and made it possible. We’ve raised £2,600 thanks to the generosity of a significant number of private donors and local organisations, including Easebourne United Parish Magazine, Midhurst WI and the Lions Club of Midhurst. The Parish Council will divert budget from other activity to make up the shortfall.

Thousands to be spent protecting Easebourne park as vandal 'miscreants' return"It is a real shame we have to resort to this but Easebourne Park is a beloved local asset that deserves protecting. We hope that the CCTV will stop any future incidence of petty vandalism, but if it doesn’t we will have evidence we can share with the Police to pursue those responsible.

"Thank you again to all those who have risen to the challenge and helped to make this project possible."

Councillors and other volunteers were having to clean up The Roundhouse in the park whenever it was vandalised.

In the future, the paraish council hopes to develop a 'scooter track' in the park for young children but were concerned about having to spend the money on vandal deterrent when the public fundraiser took off.