RAMPAGING teenagers smashed up a park, causing £5,000 damage.

Witnesses saw a group of four leaving glass and metal scattered across the ground after running riot in Warrior Park in Portslade on Monday.

The park’s slide and walkway was damaged in the incident.

A resident called police during the incident, but gave up after being on the phone for 20 minutes.

Brighton and Hove City Council has said it is arranging the necessary repairs for the park.

But it has estimated the repairs will cost thousands of pounds.

North Portslade councillors Peter Atkinson and Anne Pissaridou said it was “mindless destruction”.

Cllr Atkinson said: “This resident was understandably reluctant to dial 999 but what is the point of having an alternative number if you can never get through?

“The kids were long gone by the time he phoned me and he

was in a great deal of distress

at not being able to do anything about it.”

“City parks now have the job of making the park safe as glass was also smashed and is scattered all over the ground as well as broken wood, twisted metal and broken

barriers.”

The incident has since been reported using the online 101 service.

Warrior Park, in the Warrior Close estate in North Portslade, is a small adventure type park with a zip wire, climbing frame and wooden walkways.

A city council spokesman said: “We are very disappointed this vandalism has happened again as

a similar incident happened last year.

“There is damage to the access beside the slide and to the walkway.

“We’re arranging for repairs to be carried out which will cost around £5,000.

“We will also be carrying out daily visits to remove debris and fence off the area to make people aware there is a hazard.”

Sussex police were contacted for a comment.