Calls for more to be done to protect Birkenhead Park after vandals target it for second time in a month

The call comes from Professor Robert Lee, chair of the Friends of Birkenhead Park, who says Wirral Council needs to be "held to account" for failing to ensure a "robust and effective policy" is in place to safeguard the park is implemented.

The damage caused to the visitor centre.

Police were called to the park shortly before 9pm on Thursday after community patrols found the doors to the visitor centre smashed.

Security footage shows three men using a sledgehammer and crowbar to force their way in to the centre.

They left empty-handed after being unable to break down the office doors inside.

It comes less than a month after the park's iconic Swiss Bridge went up in flames at the hand of vandals.

More than £20,000 of damage was caused to the Grade II listed structure, which requires significant structural reconstruction before it can be used again.

Professor Lee said: "We are appalled at the malicious damage to the visitor centre following only a few weeks after the serious arson attack on the Swiss Bridge.

"We have made clear for some time our concern over inadequate security arrangements in the park."

Professor Lee said that during the first five months of the year, there was a 69% increase in the number of reported antisocial behaviour incidents. 

The damage caused.

He added: "Serious damage has been done to the Grand Entrance on a number of occasions - both to the doors of the North Lodge and to the window frames and panes of the South Lodge.

"Yet at the same time the number of security staff has been reduced, the sole remaining security officer has been given an additional role as the events co-ordinator, the CCTV equipment has not been adequately maintained, and the community patrol has been prohibited from patrolling the park at night.

"Birkenhead Park was the first publicly funded park in the world and it was designed explicitly for the use of the people of Birkenhead. At a time when we are seeking to attract additional investment in the park and to progress a bid for World Heritage Site status the damage inflicted by a small group of criminals must be universally condemned.

Birkenhead Park's Swiss Bridge, which was targeted by vandals last month.

"But Wirral Council and local politicians must also be held to account for failing to make sure that a robust and effective policy to safeguard Birkenhead Park has not been implemented, despite existing commitments to the Heritage Lottery Fund and clear evidence of a rise in crime and anti-social behaviour."

Cllr Chris Meaden, cabinet member for leisure, sport and culture, said: “I am at a loss to describe my feelings at this latest senseless, criminal act at Birkenhead Park. I condemn the people responsible in the strongest possible terms and we will be doing everything we can to assist the police in catching them and bringing them to justice.

“To deter criminals damaging the park it has its vehicle access gates locked every night,  CCTV is in operation (including at the visitor centre) and security guards are on call. We are working with the police to identify the culprits and bring them to justice, and anyone with any information on this crime should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Birkenhead St Mary's Cricket Club.

On Monday night, Birkenhead St Mary's Cricket Club was also targeted by thieves who used a sledgehammer to break in and steal alcohol.

A member of the public reported seeing three men dressed in black smashing their way through shutters at the front of the clubhouse.

Last October saw the clubhouse burgled and set on fire by thieves, causing £50,000 of damage.

Police officers were called to the cricket club at around 9.30pm.

Upon arrival, officers found the offenders had kicked and hit the shutters with a metal object, before making off across the park with alcohol, stolen from the premises.

A dogs unit and the force helicopter were dispatched to try and track the offenders, but found no trace.

Enquiries are on-going and crime scene investigators have examined the scene, forensic enquiries are on-going and CCTV is being examined.

Neighbourhood Inspector Georgina Minnery said: “This incident comes very soon after the visitors’ centre at the park was broken into, and we are working hard to trace those responsible for both incident and continue to reduce burglaries, in this area. We know that this type of crime can have a massive effect on businesses and individuals and we are proactively investigating both incidents.

"We are fully focused on trying to help protect the local community against burglaries like this and take them very seriously. We continue to run regular operations to target known offenders and also offer crime prevention advice to home and business owners.

"Finally, I would like to appeal to the public, to come forward with any information about this incident, to contact 101 number. Information can also be anonymously reported to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”