'Firebugs who destroyed Anchorsholme Park playground are getting away with it,' says councillor Paul Galley

A Blackpool councillor says he is demanding answers from the Government over concerns of an apparent lack of prosecutions of vandalism on children’s playgrounds.

Cllr Paul Galley launched an investigation following the burning of the children’s play ship at Anchorsholme Park, where two teenagers were arrested but dealt with through community resolutions rather than prosecution.

Despite playground vandalism costing councils millions of pounds nationally, he says his research has so far identified cautions and other out-of-court disposals, but no clear examples of prosecutions specifically for playground vandalism under the Criminal Damage Act 1971.

However, Lancashire Police said that a number of factors were taken into consideration when the two youths arrested over the Anchorsholme incident were dealt with by a community resolution.

This is an informal, non-statutory “out-of-court” agreement used by the police to deal with low-level offences and minor incidents quickly and proportionately.

Sadly, the playground’s swings, seesaws and groundworks were all vandalised in a separate and more recent incident last month.

WHAT COUNCILLOR SAYS

Cllr Galley, who represents the Anchorsholme ward, said: “You can destroy a children’s playground, devastate a community and leave taxpayers facing an enormous bill, yet where are the prosecutions?

“Children lose their play areas, residents lose their facilities and taxpayers pick up the bill. Meanwhile, those responsible appear to face little meaningful punishment.

“What sort of message does that send? Are playground vandals facing justice, or are they simply getting away with it?“And with the pressure on our prisons and early release policies, I fear things could get even worse.”

Cllr Galley says he is now writing to Justice Secretary Alex Norris MP, demanding answers about prosecution rates, sentencing guidelines and whether community resolutions are appropriate for serious acts of criminal damage.

He added: “Enough is enough. Destroying a children’s playground is not harmless mischief. It is criminal damage that hurts entire communities.

“We need real consequences, real deterrents and a justice system that stands up for the victims, not one that lets vandals walk away.”

WHAT POLICE SAY

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said of the two youths, aged 15 and 16: “When deciding on the community resolution through the Youth Justice System, the age of the offenders and their lack of previous convictions was taken into consideration, so too the facts of the case in that the damage wasn’t caused intentionally.”

Meanwhile, in an unrelated but similar incident, Lancashire Police also confirmed in September that no further action would be taken following two arrests made after a fire ravaged a store in Fleetwood.

Two teenage boys, both from Fleetwood and aged 13 and 15, had been arrested on suspicion of arson following the huge blaze at the former Ex-Catalogue Shop on the town’s Lord Street on June 3.

Despite the frustration over the vandalism at Anchorsholme Park, last month it was confirmed that £10,000 raised by the Friends of Anchorsholme Park will be used by park owners Blackpool Council towards the cost of an overhaul of the play area and replacing play equipment destroyed in the fire.

Cllr Galley said that by Spring 2027 it was hoped there would be a relaunch of a working playground in the park.orking playground in the park.