By Debbie Kerr

VANDALS, THOUGHT to be aged between 10 and 12, have caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage to trees in Balgay Park.

Those responsible have been condemned after they set fire to hedging, destroying 15 mature conifer trees and an array of plants surrounding the council-owned bowling green.

A nearby resident reported the flames on Saturday at about 7.30pm and Tayside Fire and Rescue quickly attended to extinguish the blaze.

Four boys were seen running off into the park after the incident and police have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

They have also have urged parents to come forward with any further information.

West end councillor Fraser Macpherson said the consequences could have been much more severe.

He said, “I am very concerned to hear about this vandalism.

“Obviously the park is well used and well loved by many people in the local community so it is disappointing to hear about this type of thing happening.

“There is also the potential danger to life and limb, not just to the youths taking part who risked their lives setting a dangerous fire, but also others in the park or living nearby.

“I plan to speak to staff from the leisure and communities department to raise this issue and see what steps can be taken to prevent this from happening again in the future.

“Although I appreciate that staff cannot be everywhere at all times, I will discuss whether an increased presence must be implemented in terms of what has happened.”

A council spokesman said, “On Saturday night 15 mature conifers have been destroyed, as well as some bordering plants.

“The damage caused by the fire will run into hundreds of pounds.”

A police spokesman added, “The youngsters responsible for it would obviously have been smelling of smoke so parents would have noticed that when they came in so we would ask them to get in contact with us.

“We would also appeal for any witnesses to the incident to come forward.”

Station manager Fraser Raitt of Tayside Fire and Rescue said anyone setting deliberate fires was putting lives at risk.

He said, “Regardless of how small a fire, we have to attend to it. This puts a strain on our resources and means we can’t be at another serious fire somewhere else should one occur.”