Skate ramps theft leaves kids heartbroken

Buy photos » ABOVE Cropthorne and Charlton village hall committee chairman Jacqui King, Tor Swift, eight, Carrigan Seal, eight, parish councillor Jane Segar, Matthew Russell, nine, and Ciara Mitchell, nine, in the play area from where the skate ramps were stolen. Photo by Marcus Mingins 0212025MMR Order this picture online at www.buyphotos247.com

CHILDREN in a Vale village have been left heartbroken after metal thieves stole skate ramps at their play park.

Three skate jumps used by youngsters at Cropthorne Sheppey play park are believed to have been taken just before Christmas in the small village near Pershore but the news only came to light this week.

The total cost of all three skate jumps is believed to be almost £5,000 with each one costing about £1,500.

Cropthorne parish councillor Jane Segar told the Observer children in the village were really upset over the incident.

"The children here are gutted and are dismayed with what has happened," she said. "How anyone can do this to young children, I just don't know.

"This is a shocking incident and for thieves to steal play equipment I think is a disgusting thing to do. I hope these thieves realise they are depriving children of play. It is monstrous what they have done."

The theft has also angered members of Cropthorne and Charlton Village Hall committee who had recently raised money for new play equipment for the play park.

Jacqui King, chairman of the committee said: "It's a real shame because it is the not one of the first things you would think people would take but there has been a surge in metal thefts across the county recently.

"It's especially annoying for us because it means we have to start the new year making yet another insurance claim and filling out lots of paper work."

Police have been alerted to the theft and are appealing for any witnesses to come forward who may know of the whereabouts of the skate jumps.

Anyone with any information about the incident should call police on 101 - the new non-emergency call line.