THE latest criminal damage to a bench at Lion Green has brought the cost of vandalism in the area to more than £1,000 in just over four months.
Several benches have been damaged recently and the latest incident happened between 8 pm and 9-30 pm on Thursday of last week. It was just days after two new benches had been erected and others repaired after repeated vandalism.
Since then vandals have targeted the area again, trying to burn plastic on the children's slide. The damage was only discovered when a youngster used the piece of play equipment and ruined his clothes in the process.
At the beginning of July, vandals caused £600 worth of damage to three safety mats in the play area. This was linked to another incident a week later when damage estimated at £100 was caused when white paint was sprayed over the play equipment.
In March, another £500 worth of damage was caused when glass was found shattered around the safety mats and slide and other substances spread on benches and swings.
Mayor Michael Foster has called for young people to help in tackling the vandalism themselves and for CCTV cameras to be erected at Lion Green. Funding was agreed by the town council for fixing a camera where much of the vandalism has taken place.
"There is quite a gathering of young people on Lion Green. They have asked for a shelter and to a degree, young people owe it to the police to report any suspicious behaviour and vandalism, said Mr Foster.
The mobile cameras are part of a £16,000 contribution from Haslemere council tax payers to a scheme to target crime hot spots.
Waverley's crime prevention officer, John Robini, said a CCTV camera was currently being used elsewhere in the town to fight crime but he was hoping to locate an additional camera for the troublesome Lion Green area.