Barr and Patton call for tougher action after vandalism leaves local play parks unsafe for children

A recently damaged slide at a local play park

Vandalism at local play parks and community facilities has left play equipment damaged, forced areas to close to families and disrupted activities supporting vulnerable children, prompting calls for tougher action against persistent offenders.

Braid Ulster Unionist representatives Councillor Alan Barr and Samantha Patton say recent incidents have included broken glass in play areas, destroyed slides and vandalised trampolines, leaving individual pieces of equipment — and in some cases entire playparks — unsafe and unavailable.

The pair have also highlighted a recent break-in at Ballee Community Centre, where activities for children with additional needs and children affected by domestic violence were disrupted.

‘Real consequences for children and families’

Councillor Barr said the damage was particularly concerning during the summer holidays, when children and families rely heavily on local play facilities.

“This is not harmless behaviour. Vandalism has real consequences for children and families, particularly during the summer holidays when playparks are heavily used.

“There is also a considerable cost. Money that should be spent improving our communities and providing new facilities is instead being diverted into repairs. Every pound spent fixing vandalism is money that cannot be invested in something new.”

Braid Ulster Unionist representatives Councillor Alan Barr and Samantha Patton

The incidents raise a wider issue beyond the immediate damage: public money needed to repair vandalised facilities cannot then be used to improve existing amenities or provide new ones.

Samantha Patton said the consequences were being felt across the community.

“Vandalism is not victimless. It restricts access to facilities, costs the public money and undermines the work of those trying to improve our communities.

“There needs to be greater personal responsibility and respect for public property. Those responsible must be held accountable and understand that their actions have consequences.”

Break-in disrupted activities for vulnerable children

Barr and Patton said the impact of the break-in at Ballee Community Centre demonstrated how damage to community facilities can extend well beyond the cost of repairs.

Activities being provided for children with additional needs and children affected by domestic violence were disrupted following the incident.

Patton said:

“The impact went far beyond damage to a building. It disrupted activities supporting some of the most vulnerable children in our community. That is completely unacceptable.”

Following the break-in, Councillors Alan Barr and Rodney Quigley, together with Samantha Patton, met members of the Ballee community and the PSNI to discuss the problems and possible solutions.

The discussions focused on meaningful activities for children and young people, providing positive alternatives and helping to deter anti-social behaviour.

‘Enforcement on its own is not enough’

While calling for those responsible for vandalism to be held accountable, Barr said enforcement needed to be accompanied by work aimed at preventing anti-social behaviour in the first place.

“We need a firm response to vandalism and anti-social behaviour, but enforcement on its own is not enough. Prevention matters too. Young people need positive activities, safe spaces and good role models.

“Samantha and I will continue working with the Ballee community to identify practical solutions. Our public facilities belong to the community, and there must be a joined-up approach to protecting them.

“That means holding those responsible for vandalism and anti-social behaviour to account, while also working with residents, community organisations and others to provide positive opportunities for young people.”

Call to examine tougher penalties for persistent offenders

The representatives now intend to raise the issue with Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows MLA, asking what further action could be taken against persistent offenders involved in vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

In particular, they want to establish whether tougher penalties could be introduced for people who repeatedly damage public property and continue offending despite previous interventions.

Patton said prevention and engagement should not remove the need for consequences where individuals repeatedly cause damage.

“While prevention and positive engagement are important, there must also be consequences for those who repeatedly choose to vandalise public property.

“We need to look at whether the current approach is strong enough when dealing with persistent offenders. Those who repeatedly cause damage to community facilities should face meaningful consequences for their actions.”

Barr and Patton said they would continue working with residents on ways to protect community facilities and provide positive opportunities for young people.

Their intervention now puts two questions at the centre of the local response: how shared facilities can be better protected from further damage, and whether existing measures are sufficient to deal with those responsible for repeated vandalism while preventing more young people becoming involved in anti-social behaviour.