Vandals target Herrington Country Park play area in arson attack

The basket swing at the popular Sunderland park was extensively damaged in the blaze on Monday morning (July 20).

The deliberate attack took place just days after Sunderland City Council reopened children’s play areas for the first time since lockdown.

It appears four wheelie bins full of rubbish had been deliberately placed around the base of the two support legs before being set alight.

The fire was discovered by Shiney Row councillor Dr. Geoffrey Walker who raised the alert after spotting it while out on an early morning cycle ride through the park.

Deputy Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, Coun Michael Mordey, said: "This was a sick, mindless attack on a children's play area just four days after it reopened.

"We know that many parents and children have been looking forward to play areas reopening for months. It's difficult to understand why anyone would do something like this. To attack a children's swing so soon after play areas have reopened is unforgiveable.

"I would urge anyone with information that could help catch the culprits behind this appalling attack to come forward.”

Firefighters from Farringdon Fire station were called to the scene this morning.

Richie Rickaby, Area Manager for Community Safety at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said: “Setting fires might seem like harmless fun but things can easily get out of hand, it is both dangerous, reckless and in this case, results in children not having a facility in which to play safely.

“Deliberate fires present huge risks to not only the perpetrators, cause damage to local properties and the environment, as well as presenting a challenge to our firefighters. If we are attending deliberate fires, it means we are unavailable to attend other fires or emergencies.

“With the summer holidays only just beginning we would encourage parents to speak to their children about the risks of deliberate fire setting."

Anyone who has any information about this or any other deliberate fires in the area should contact Firestoppers anonymously on 0800 169 5558 or use firestoppersreport.co.uk.

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