A GROUP of teenagers have been captured on CCTV causing thousands of pounds worth of damage at an adventure play park in West Howe.

Police are calling for information after the incident, which happened at Fernheath Play sometime between 3pm and 4.30pm on Sunday, August 4.

Officials at the park say the group were seen jumping on the trampoline before destroying it. They also vandalised climbing apparatus and fencing surrounding the play park’s sensory garden.

It is believed that the group returned and caused more damage on the evening of Wednesday, August 7, just days after volunteers cleared the site.

Paul Webster, interim manager at Fernheath Play, said: “I had a local member of staff phone me up about it because I live over in Wimbourne.

“She cleared it up with her family so we could open up on Monday.

"I had to go to the local builders’ merchants to get a few things to make it safe.”

Paddy Williamson and former councillor Ted Taylor founded the adventure play park with a group of local parents back in 1977.

Paddy said the "upsetting" vandalism is the first report of trouble at the park for "many years".

“It's quite distressing and upsetting that there are people out there that would do this," she said.

"Before this recent spate of attacks, it had been quite for a long, long time."

The inclusive play and short stay centre relies on donations after council funding stopped in 2015.

Volunteers are now asking for donations to help repair the damage caused by the vandals.

“People struggle to appreciate how important facilities like these are to the community. It provides a space for children to learn and interact with one another safely outside of school," Paddy said.

“There are quite a few children with disabilities including autism here.

"It's great to have them mix with all kinds of children.

“I think the reason for why the funding stopped was because it never looked financially viable, but we have survived for 42 years with very little funding.

"However, with this recent spate of vandalism, we are looking at thousands of pounds to get it rebuilt which we sadly don’t have.”

A spokesperson from Dorset Police said: “We received a report of criminal damages at 4.41pm on Sunday, August 4 in which considerable damage was made to equipment at the adventure play park.

“Police are making enquiries but there have been no arrests at this time.

“We ask anybody with any information on the attacks to please call 101 quoting crime reference number 5519021124.”