VANDALISM in a park in St Austell has led the town council to ask parents and guardians: “Do you know where your children are?”

The council has taken to social media following vandalism in Bethel Park which it said included racist symbols and a fire in a bin.

The park features children’s play areas and a large grassed open space.

A post on the council’s Facebook page said: “St Austell Town Council is disappointed by recent vandalism in Bethel Park by young people…

“Bethel Park should be a safe and welcoming open space for children of all ages and abilities. This kind of behaviour cannot be tolerated.

“Parents, please help us to maintain the park and reduced anti-social behaviour by: staying in contact with your children; checking details with other parents; meeting your children’s friends; discussing the consequences of vandalism and anti-social behaviour; reminding children to be considerate of others; and giving them a time they are expected to be home.”

The council told the Voice that the damage from the bin fire was minimal and the bin did not have to be replaced.

Elsewhere in the town, the council has completed upgrades to park equipment. The improvements include new swings at the Landrew Road Park and a new wheelchair-friendly roundabout at the Meadows open space.

The council has also been working on the two wetland areas that were created in the lower nature section of the Meadows as part of Cornwall Council’s Making Space 4 Nature scheme.

A grounds team has used a digger to clear out a series of linked ditches and wetland areas that had become overgrown and blocked, to ensure they continue to capture and retain rainwater to help reduce water run-off and trap any sediment.

The wetland areas are planted with pollinator-friendly plant species that thrive in damp habitats.