VANDALS have spray painted a path and left piles of smashed glass near a children's playground, writes Connor Tovell.

The path in Beechwood Park, Newport, which has since been cleared by Newport City Council, was littered with various graffiti and broken glass.

Shocked residents found the mess on Sunday, April 14.

Sue Selkirk, 48, came across the damage when walking with her husband.

“I was absolutely horrified to see such vandalism. I grew up around the park and that was the worst I have ever seen.”

Ms Selkirk, who is also a member of Beechwood Park Group, added: “Newport council leave the main gate open every night. If it was closed, I am sure it would deter them.

“We need a police presence as it will get much worse over the summer months.”

Newport City Council, who cleaned the site on the same day, have urged anyone with information to contact Gwent Police.

A council spokesperson said: “Park staff responded to the complaint and took steps to deal with the offensive graffiti.

“We deplore any misuse of the park and urge anyone with information about this incident to contact the police.”

The damage was located just by the children’s playground and Gwent police have since increased patrols in the area.

Sergeant Chris Back, of Newport East Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We were made aware of criminal damage at Beechwood Park on the morning of Sunday, April 14.

"Officers attended and located offensive graffiti and smashed glass in the area of the children’s playground.

“We were contacted to clean the area, and this was removed on the same day.

"We have increased visible police patrols in the area and would urge anyone who may know who was responsible to contact us.”

You can contact Gwent Police by calling 101 or direct messaging them on Facebook or Twitter, quoting reference 252 of 14/04/19.