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| Vandalism may shut county's parks | Vandalism may shut county's parks |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Parks and children's play areas in Carmarthenshire may be permanently shut if they are vandalised three times. | Parks and children's play areas in Carmarthenshire may be permanently shut if they are vandalised three times. |
| Councillors are considering a "three strikes" closure policy as the cost of repairing damage is running at more than £100,000 a year. | Councillors are considering a "three strikes" closure policy as the cost of repairing damage is running at more than £100,000 a year. |
| Critics claim it would punish the majority for the actions of a few and amounts to a "surrender to yobs". | Critics claim it would punish the majority for the actions of a few and amounts to a "surrender to yobs". |
| But the council says those affected should blame the vandals as it has limited funds to maintain facilities. | But the council says those affected should blame the vandals as it has limited funds to maintain facilities. |
| The idea is being discussed on Monday. | The idea is being discussed on Monday. |
| Areas in the county where parks have been subjected to repeat vandalism include Burry Port, Tumble, Hendy and Llanybydder. | Areas in the county where parks have been subjected to repeat vandalism include Burry Port, Tumble, Hendy and Llanybydder. |
| There has got to be a cut off point but I don't think we should surrender to the yobs Councillor John Jenkins | There has got to be a cut off point but I don't think we should surrender to the yobs Councillor John Jenkins |
| The council's executive board member for leisure Clive Scourfield said: "The damages are averaging £100,000 a year and it is money that deserves to be spent in areas where it is appreciated and protected. | The council's executive board member for leisure Clive Scourfield said: "The damages are averaging £100,000 a year and it is money that deserves to be spent in areas where it is appreciated and protected. |
| 'Cut off point' | 'Cut off point' |
| "It is unfair the whole of the county should be burdened with repair costs for persistent and repeated vandalism - there is a limit to the depth of the purse funding repairs. | "It is unfair the whole of the county should be burdened with repair costs for persistent and repeated vandalism - there is a limit to the depth of the purse funding repairs. |
| "I appreciate it is a small minority of no-gooders in any community who cause the problems. | "I appreciate it is a small minority of no-gooders in any community who cause the problems. |
| "Now they may have to bear the responsibility for the loss of amenities and the wrath of those who might condemn our actions." | "Now they may have to bear the responsibility for the loss of amenities and the wrath of those who might condemn our actions." |
| But Llanelli councillor John Jenkins said a "three strikes" policy was too inflexible and rigid. | But Llanelli councillor John Jenkins said a "three strikes" policy was too inflexible and rigid. |
| "The council cannot keep throwing money at this and it's a very disappointing inditement of the times we live in," he said. | "The council cannot keep throwing money at this and it's a very disappointing inditement of the times we live in," he said. |
| "But there has got to be room for pragmatism and I think each time it should be looked at on a case by case basis. | |
| "There has got to be a cut off point but I don't think we should surrender to the yobs." | "There has got to be a cut off point but I don't think we should surrender to the yobs." |