This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/south_west/6897372.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Vandalism may shut county's parks | Vandalism may shut county's parks |
| (about 4 hours 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. |
| I think the vandals or their families should be forced to pay for any repairs Councillor Stephen James | |
| 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. |
| "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. |
| He said: "There has got to be room for pragmatism and I think each time it should be looked at on a case by case basis. | |
| Even if they close the parks the vandals are not going to disappear - they will just target something else Helen Williams | |
| "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." |
| Burry Port councillor Stephen James said rather than close parks the council should prosecute every time someone is caught causing damage. | |
| "I think the vandals or their families should be forced to pay for any repairs," he added. | |
| Some parents at Burry Port Junior school were also opposed to the plan. | |
| Mother-of-two Helen Williams said: "I think it's disgusting - where are the little children who have nothing to do with the damage going to play if the parks closed? | |
| "Even if they close the parks the vandals are not going to disappear - they will just target something else." |