Swans beaten with stones
Ffrith, WA (UK)Incident Date: Monday, Jun 27, 2005
Disposition: Open
Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!
An act of vandalism and animal cruelty by youths has raised security concerns at the Ffrith beach. Vale of Clwyd MP Chris Ruane is calling on Denbighshire County Council to increase security at the beleaguered Prestatyn festival gardens, following an incident on Monday night, June 27.
A gang of teenagers were seen throwing stones at the resident family of swans and trashing the old the Tapas bar.
Mr Ruane said: "While a decision on what to do with the site is being made it should not be allowed just to decay and become a magnet for vandals and other forms of anti-social behaviour."
"I raised the issue of security with Denbighshire in October last year and it is even more important that the site is made secure before the summer holidays."
"I would hope that steps are made to ensure no further vandalism takes place and that the swans are protected."
The damaged premises have been dormant since the Tapas Bar closed and has fallen into a state of dereliction.
Police proposed turning the vacant building into a youth centre at one point but the plans, which were welcomed by the council and community, were shelved on health and safety grounds.
Prestatyn town and Denbighshire county councillor Mike German said: "The old Tapas bar and the other buildings at the Ffrith are only 10 years old but they are starting to look 100 years old."
Cllr German is a member of the Ffrith Working group who are looking at ways of improving security without incurring further costs.
He added: "This is a case of shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted."
"It would be nice to have 24 hour patrols at the site but I really cannot see ratepayers wanting to spend anymore money on the Ffrith after the millions that have already been wasted there."
"It used to be an open area but the developers didn't have security in mind when they introduced lots of shady nooks and crannies and potential hiding places in the re-design."
Suggestions from the group include; introducing an afterdark lockdown at the site and making the parking free to ensure a regular presence of visitors keeping the area occupied. References
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