 A BRAND new children's playground was torched by vandals the day after it opened. Local youngsters were left in tears when they turned up to play, only to find it a smouldering ruin. Teenage yobs had dragged wheelie bins into the playground in Cockburn Street, Dingle, and set them alight. The flames spread and caused such severe damage the equipment was wrecked or too dangerous to use. The playground had only just undergone a facelift as part of a regeneration scheme on playgrounds across the city and opened last Thursday. Local residents said they had been waiting years for somewhere decent for the young children to play. They blamed teenage gangs, who have been tormenting the area. One resident, who chose not to be named, said: "It's a disgrace. "The council do something nice for the kids and they have it taken away from them. "It's gangs from this area who are doing it, everyone knows who they are but you can't do anything about it." Some said the play area should have a warden at night to keep the gangs out. Merseyside police admit the Cockburn Street area has a problem with anti-social behaviour. Acting Dingle and St Michael's Neighbourhood Inspector Neil Ruddick said: "We are working closely with our partners in the area including Liverpool council and community groups to target anti-social behaviour. "Many of the houses around the park have already benefited from the introduction of alley gates and improved lighting, and we have, over recent weeks, increased high visibility patrols. "We have already secured a number of anti-social behaviour orders and are in the process of gathering evidence from the community against individuals." A spokesman for the parks and environment office at the council said: "Restoration is constantly taking place on parks and playgrounds to make them both attractive and safe for children. "In the past two months two parks had to be temporarily closed due to vandalism." The playground is closed but should reopen within the next few weeks. If you have information call police on 0151- 777 5341, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111." | 
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