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Vandals leave park looking like a 'war zone'
5:06pm Friday 16th November 2007
Comments (36)Rampaging vandals tore down dozens of historic concrete pillars and left a city park looking like a "war zone".
Thirty six pillars, which survived the Second World War and the 1987 hurricane, were toppled by a gang over two nights at The Level in Brighton.
The majority of them were smashed and irreparably damaged.
Nearby residents have spoken of their anger at the vandalism, which the council estimates is worth up to £40,000.
The pillars, which are made of concrete but designed to look like marble, are part of the conservation area in the park.
They were built in the Thirties to surround a boating lake that was later filled in, and currently sit around a children's paddling pool.
Council workers were clearing the wreckage today. They took the few remaining pillars which were left untouched into storage for fear of further attacks after the vandals struck on both Wednesday and Thursday night.
Christine Ford, who has run the Kiosk on The Level cafe for more than 30 years, said: "I am utterly appalled by what has happened. It just looks like a war zone.
"We've had a lot of problems with the kids who hang around at night.
"There is just no respect these days. It's a disgrace. These pillars survived the war and the hurricane but not these idiots who just want to destroy everything."
Hilary Harris, 55, of Ditchling Road, said: "I've spoken to a few people about it and everyone is just really depressed. There must have been quite a few of them because it would take a lot of strength to push one of those pillars over.
"It is criminal damage, a big step up from graffiti or smashing a bottle in the street. I just hope the police catch whoever did this."
A spokeswoman for Brighton and Hove City Council said the pillars would be taken into storage and eventually returned to the park as part of a plan to revamp the Level.
A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: "A full investigation is being launched into this incident.
"We have regular patrols and will be stepping up police presence in the area. We also want any witnesses to the damage to contact us immediately."
Anyone with information should call 0845 6070999 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
For more information about crime in your area visit the local information section of this website.
Your Say YourThe Argus
JJ, Brighton says...
5:19pm Fri 16 Nov 07
Nobby wrote:Hmmm, who says it was children, I didn't see anywhere "a witness saw children", just some report of problems with kids in the area, not that they did it Nobby, or is that Nob?
What an awful society we have become. Would this happen anywhere else in the world? Why are we so useless with our own children?
Dick Tight, Falmer says...
5:23pm Fri 16 Nov 07
JJ wrote:Dosen't matter how old you are your still someones child, guess that makes YOU the nob then
Nobby wrote: What an awful society we have become. Would this happen anywhere else in the world? Why are we so useless with our own children?Hmmm, who says it was children, I didn't see anywhere "a witness saw children", just some report of problems with kids in the area, not that they did it Nobby, or is that Nob?
Nobby, Brighton says...
5:25pm Fri 16 Nov 07
JJ wrote:Oh dear. I am indeed a nob for expressing my opinion. It's is quite likely that this was committed by under 18s, don't you think JJ? Children Like you with your aggressive comments to me. I was attempting to stimulate a debate but alas I have encountered JJ. Thanks for spoiling the thread you nob.
Nobby wrote: What an awful society we have become. Would this happen anywhere else in the world? Why are we so useless with our own children?Hmmm, who says it was children, I didn\'t see anywhere \"a witness saw children\", just some report of problems with kids in the area, not that they did it Nobby, or is that Nob?
jay, hove says...
6:42pm Fri 16 Nov 07
jo, haywards heath says...
7:10pm Fri 16 Nov 07
I do think parents these days should have a lot more control over their kids. Lazy discipline breeds lazy good for nothing people.
Evenin All, Brighton says...
7:35pm Fri 16 Nov 07
Urban Warrior, The Bronx says...
7:45pm Fri 16 Nov 07
I just hope the police catch whoever did this."
What a joke this sentence is. The police couldn't catch a cold!
A Gold, Brighton says...
8:23pm Fri 16 Nov 07
There is a general lack of respect for everything & everyone else these days.
Yobs (of whatever age) are allowed to get away with things because they know nothing ever happens to them.
How many times do we read about someone up in court with 23 previous convictions getting a 'final warning'?
Pizzes me right off. Nothing will change until there is a policy of zero tolerance & that will never happen because the powers are sh** scared of infringing human rights.
The same & worse will be occuring in the next few months & years, and we'll all be 'just' moaning about it. mark my words.
New Labour, tough on crime *rolls eyes*
sal, hanover says...
9:06pm Fri 16 Nov 07
suetaylor, Brighton says...
9:27pm Fri 16 Nov 07
fred, brighton says...
10:29pm Fri 16 Nov 07
David in Brighton, says...
12:33am Sat 17 Nov 07
Terrified to go out at weekends, anywhere in central Brighton says...
3:05am Sat 17 Nov 07
They don't exist. If you report something they take 3 days to turn up, take details & then file it.
John, kemptown says...
6:58am Sat 17 Nov 07
saddened, Hove says...
8:13am Sat 17 Nov 07
Bring back real punishment for all crimes.
Fred, Brighton says...
8:50am Sat 17 Nov 07
It didnt take 5 minutes to wreck.
Absolutely disgusted.Our society under Labour is falling apart.We need change with more police,tough sentencing!
Sebastian, Brighton says...
8:57am Sat 17 Nov 07
Flat Foot Soozie, Brunswick Square says...
9:47am Sat 17 Nov 07
The world gains nothing by their existence.
qm, Hove says...
10:31am Sat 17 Nov 07
Police ? What Police? They don't exist. If you report something they take 3 days to turn up, take details & then file it.
Police ? What Police?
They don't exist. If you report something they take 3 days to turn up, take details & then file it.
not if you dial 999 and report a policeman getting a kicking, you'll see more of them than flees on a dog!!!
Sweety, portslade says...
10:33am Sat 17 Nov 07
Dennis, Brighton says...
11:00am Sat 17 Nov 07
The Daz, Woodingdean says...
11:13am Sat 17 Nov 07
"ow cool waz it last nite bruv", "why bruv, wad ya do?", "mate we went daan the leval innit, we shouted, swore drank crap beer and kicked ova sum pillars. We must be the best gang in Brite-en, next week we gonna pick on old people and throw blackberrys at the passing bus's. Its cos we ard innit bruv?" Im so jealous, i want to be as cool and hard as them, Bunch of sad p****s...
voice of reason, Dyke rd says...
12:59pm Sat 17 Nov 07
Nobby wrote:Under 18's or not they are scum and have been brought up by scum. Save society money, hang em high.
JJ wrote:Oh dear. I am indeed a nob for expressing my opinion. It's is quite likely that this was committed by under 18s, don't you think JJ? Children Like you with your aggressive comments to me. I was attempting to stimulate a debate but alas I have encountered JJ. Thanks for spoiling the thread you nob.
Nobby wrote: What an awful society we have become. Would this happen anywhere else in the world? Why are we so useless with our own children?Hmmm, who says it was children, I didn\'t see anywhere \"a witness saw children\", just some report of problems with kids in the area, not that they did it Nobby, or is that Nob?
steve, brighton says...
2:08pm Sat 17 Nov 07
Glenn, Woodingdean says...
2:17pm Sat 17 Nov 07
These idiots must have had some very hard weapons to cause that much damage. They are so tough that they have to hit an object that just stands still and also in the dark Ha Ha Ha.
They should maybe vist the USA then they would know the meaning of hard aka aard.
k, says...
9:24pm Sat 17 Nov 07
Trev, says...
9:52pm Sat 17 Nov 07
remluf, Worthing says...
10:01pm Sat 17 Nov 07
I walked through the park on Thursday morning while having a break from my bus driving and & took a few photos of the fallen pillars, and of some of the remaining ones standing, and also chatted to the woman who runs the snack bar. She showed me a pic of the park from many years ago.
I was horrified to read in the Argus today that the vandals returned that night and in fact had pushed over the pillars I took photos of when they were standing. In fact, the photo of them fallen in the Argus almost matches the picture in the paper. I might send it to them.
no name, sussex says...
4:26am Sun 18 Nov 07
Ted Winter, Haywards Heath says...
7:54am Sun 18 Nov 07
Preston Park is being ruined as well. And night after night the police act as if it all comes as a huge surprise. They even find the leg of a stolen statue in a traveller's fire and can't seem to work out who stole it in the first place! Pitiful performance.
Their 'investigation' doesn't promise much.
John Doe, Brighton says...
11:04am Sun 18 Nov 07
Perhaps (if the offenders were youngsters) the parents are to blame for not controlling their children or teaching them right from wrong.
Bagpuss, brighton says...
5:53pm Sun 18 Nov 07
Chippy, Brighton says...
1:05pm Mon 19 Nov 07
Ted Winter wrote:More community policing. Yes, we are surrounded (apparantly) by CCTV, we're led to believe. Just not near parks or anywhere else the public are likely to go. Over two days!!! Jesus Christ!!! No excuses. Police should be on the streets 'policing', not doing booldy paperwork all the time. Aggrieves me that my taxes have to go on making good all the things that people make bad. Politicians always 'banging on' about how reported crime is going up/down (dependent on a slow news day). All thse people who don't show their city any respect should be sentenced heavily when caught and charged. Stop ****-footing around, Everythings about booldy stats these days, from the office to the outside world. Just to keep a few high fliers in jobs. Sorry, but don't the ordinary people matter anymore?
Over two nights? OVER TWO NIGHTS! What on earth were the police doing, apart of course from protecting private companies giving out parking tickets and monitoring the smoking ban? We have CCTV everywhere, the park is a known trouble spot and there is no-one there at all? Disgusting. Preston Park is being ruined as well. And night after night the police act as if it all comes as a huge surprise. They even find the leg of a stolen statue in a traveller's fire and can't seem to work out who stole it in the first place! Pitiful performance. Their 'investigation' doesn't promise much.
Sam, Brighton says...
10:50pm Tue 20 Nov 07
Why don't you do something to prevent them from being like that?
It doesn't take a genious to work out that young people need something to do for goodness sake.
Give them something that is fun. and AFORDABLE. and does not make them feel patronised by not being quite child. or quite adult.
You people disgust me. You complain. You get shocked by what you see. You bang these people up. and it screws with their heads.
But do you ever stop to think why they do it in the first place?
The only thing that they have that is affordable and "fun" is alcohol.
Get your priorities sorted.
and for goodness sake.
USE YOUR BRAIN
muah ha ha haaa!, says...
11:24pm Wed 21 Nov 07
You people all say.. These Vandals are no good. Why don't you do something to prevent them from being like that? It doesn't take a genious to work out that young people need something to do for goodness sake. Give them something that is fun. and AFORDABLE. and does not make them feel patronised by not being quite child. or quite adult. You people disgust me. You complain. You get shocked by what you see. You bang these people up. and it screws with their heads. But do you ever stop to think why they do it in the first place? The only thing that they have that is affordable and "fun" is alcohol. Get your priorities sorted. and for goodness sake. USE YOUR BRAIN
this fella is right im a kid. and he's right if we just had some fekin thing to do... all i wanna do is be able to get in the pub... not too drink... if i wanted to drink, id go out get 5 cans of stella take em home with a mate and have an end to it.
ITS MUCH CHEEPER.
people like me want to go to the out... they wanna go somewhere where they can relax, socialise and not have to think about wats going on outside.
SOMEWHERE ALSO...WHERE YOU DONT GET PATRONISED.
im sure it wouldnt be toooo hard for the government/council to find something for us to do. something that isnt football or arts and crafts... or music club.. and all that ****.
yes. its a shame.
...but kids dont like playing with there toys or singing or respecrting there elders anymore.
kids want something exiting.
i enjoy wat i do... i go out.
i get drunk and then do it again.
im perfectly passive.
snd im sure theres something much better out there.
i just dont know wat it is.
no1 dus... no1 has anything better to do than get drunk anymore.
and as for the level.
pfft.
shud of seen it coming to be honest.
as a young person in brighton, it does not even slightly surprise me that those pillars went down.
im surprised the kiosk and the toilet block are still there.
The smashed pillars at The Level
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Nobby, Brighton says...
5:13pm Fri 16 Nov 07