Animals killed and people abused in 'no-go' park

Wildlife has been attacked and killed and visitors have been verbally abused in a park dubbed a "no-go zone" by politicians and residents.

There have been "countless" reports of anti-social behaviour in Rossmere Park, Hartlepool, according to local councillor Tom Feeney, with residents reporting frustration at a perceived lack of action.

Meanwhile, the area's MP Jonathan Brash is holding a meeting for residents who were "right to be angry" at the response from the council and police.

A spokesperson for the Hartlepool Community Safety Team, which includes the council and Cleveland Police, said it had received "limited" information about issues in the park and asked people to report incidents.

Brash said his meeting on Wednesday aimed to "push for the action needed to tackle these issues".

"The stories I have heard about the actions of a small minority are shocking and deeply disturbing," he said.

Feeney said residents were "sick to death over the levels of anti-social behaviour", with many reporting incidents of verbal abuse and intimidation.

He said: "We have had endless amounts of rubbish dumped into the pond and our children's play areas have been repeatedly vandalised and even set fire to.

"Recently we have even had reports of the killing of wildlife in our park."

The Hartlepool Community Safety Team said incidents in Rossmere Park had been highlighted at a recent meeting of the Safer Hartlepool Partnership.

The spokesperson said: "We have received a very limited amount of information about anti-social behaviour in the park, and most of that has come second or third-hand, so we need people to report – and provide detailed information on – any incidents so that action can be taken."

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