VANDALS have ripped up parts of a children's play park on Sunday in the latest incident of anti-social behaviour.
Significant damage was caused to Avoniel Park in east Belfast, with areas of the soft ground surface lifted.
The play park was installed in February 2017, in Flora Street Walkway, as part of the £40 million Connswater Community Greenway project.
It was developed by Eastside Partnership and funded by the Big Lottery Fund, Belfast City Council and the Department for Social Development.
A spokeswoman for Belfast City Council said staff worked to restore the play facilities with the affected area fenced off to allow an assessment to take place on the damage.
"The rest of the park has re-opened for families. We will be engaging with the PSNI on the issue and would appeal to the public to report any incidences of anti-social behaviour in our parks to the police as well as our parks team," she said.
East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson condemned the damage.
"This vandalism is pathetic. Community and council investment goes into the local area for children and families to enjoy. Destroying it is a kick in the teeth for the community. It is utterly outrageous."
