VANDALS at Farnham skate park have struck again this week, dumping a smashed fridge alongside "the usual" mess of broken wooden pallets and litter. The fridge, which was torn apart, leaving foam and other debris spread over the area, was described as an "environmental hazard" by Waverley Borough Council. Situated next to the sports centre in Dogflud Way, the skate park is often referred to as a meeting place for youths in the town. It has also been slammed by those living close to the site for bringing noise and vandalism to the area. One resident, who wished to remain anonymous through fear of being targeted by those responsible, said: "It's absolutely horrendous. They play loud music and make a lot of noise late at night and sometimes they set fire to things at two or three in the morning. "Everybody who lives around here is upset about it and I just feel like I could go over there and smash those ramps up myself." Another resident, who also didn't want to be named, claimed that she had received abuse on a number of occasions from skaters on the park. "When they're playing their music in the middle of the night, I've gone out there to tell them to shut up but they just swear at you," she explained. Andy Webb, general manager of Farnham Sports Centre, labelled the mess at the skate park "an eyesore" and explained some of the vandalism caused at the site. "It seems to be a social gathering point for the kids and with that we get the bad element alongside the good element unfortunately. "Two weekends ago we had both of the car park barriers vandalised and stolen, costing us about £250 to replace." He went on to say that while there are genuine skaters who use the facility as it is supposed to be used, and enjoy what he called "a sport, after all", he said that there were some "obnoxious kids" who spoil it for the rest. He added: "Personally I wanted it up in the park, but I took Waverley's view that the kids need to have access to telephones and facilities and we've been working closely with Waverley in supporting it." He also said it was "disappointing and frustrating" that the youngsters didn't have more respect for the park. "It's a great facility for the kids and it's good that they're out doing some sport, but it's frustrating to have the wanton vandalism and litter that goes with it."
