Thieves steal newly planted hedge from play park

Residents are being asked to be on the alert for anyone acting suspiciously following the theft of 48 freshly-planted laurels from a vandal-hit play park.

The selfish thieves pulled out the mature plants, half of a newly planted hedge, within two weeks of them having been planted at Warley Road/Healey Road park in Scunthorpe.

It is possible the plants have been taken to sell, maybe at a market or car boot sale or via a local selling site.

Cllr John Davison, cabinet member for safer, stronger communities (urban) condemned the theft and appealed for anyone with information to contact the police.

“I can’t imagine who would do something as low as this – steal plants from a public park.

“The whole community around Warley Road is coming together to make it a better place for everyone – criminal acts like this directly impact local families and residents.

“We are investing hundreds of thousands of pounds in our green spaces to provide much needed facilities for everyone, of all ages, and this kind of act is soul destroying.

“I urge anyone who knows anything about this theft, or any other damage at Warley Road, to contact the police.”

The park was recently the target of an arsonist who caused £11,000 of damage using a propellant to destroy children’s climbing equipment, a multi-play unit and a slide.

Around £100,000 has been invested in the park, including repairing and replacing equipment at the a multi-use games area and outdoor gym.

The development has been supported by local residents from the Warley Road Community Group, who requested some green features in the park, one of which was the newly planted hedge.

Anyone who has seen plants being taken last month, has CCTV footage or knows anything else about the incident is urged to contact the police on 101 quoting crime reference SP-5486-24-1616-01.