'Mindless idiots' damage Sheffield park in an off-road 4x4

Ecclesall councillor Barbara Masters said residents were very upset after Wilson’s Field in Bingham Park was churned up by what she believes was a 4×4 car.

She said: “It’s awful to see what some mindless idiots can do in a short time.

"This is a heavily used part of Bingham Park and a local group is trying to make it more attractive through a wildflower planting scheme which has already been pushed back because of the pandemic.

“Residents and users of the stretch of the park are understandably upset. It looks like a 4×4 off-road vehicle judging by the width of the tyre marks.

“It used the access point at the junction of Greystones Road and Highcliffe Road to drive into the park, churn up the grass and damage the lamppost.”

Coun Masters has informed police about the damage, which happened on Friday night.

“Off-roaders blight many parts of Sheffield and the police are actively tackling this scourge but these louts know resources are stretched,” she said.

“People who use this path after dusk are put at risk because the lighting is damaged and there is already a petition calling for better lighting for parks to make them safer.

“Now parks staff will have to redirect resources to repair the damage and they’re already fully stretched because of Covid-19 and the clear-up after Storm Christoph.

“Maybe if those responsible had their vehicles confiscated, as happens in other antisocial behaviour incidents, and had to walk more they would appreciate why these wanton acts of vandalism cause so much distress to the rest of us.”

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