A GROUP of up to 20 young people are thought to have been involved in anti-social behaviour at a Dawlish play park.

A picnic bench was set alight and a child’s bike damaged during the spree which is also thought to have involved Coryton Cove.

The £350,000 town council owned play park was targeted by the group of between 10 and 20 teenagers and comes just weeks human excrement was discovered on a child’s swing.

A town council spokesman said: ‘Dawlish Town Council is deeply shocked and appalled by recent incidents of anti-social behaviour and arson which have occurred in the Manor Gardens Play Park, and potentially Coryton Cove.

‘This behaviour is totally unacceptable and undermines the safety and wellbeing of our community, particularly young families and children who use these open spaces to play, socialise, and enjoy our beautiful town.

‘The town council fully supports the actions of the police and fire services, and thanks them for their swift action.

‘We will be working in full cooperation to ensure those responsible are dealt with appropriately.

‘The town’s public spaces are for the enjoyment of everyone, and we will not stand by as this is jeopardised by reckless and criminal behaviour.

‘We thank our community for standing together to protect the integrity of our public spaces and the values we share.’

PC George Miller, Neighbourhood Beat Manager for Dawlish, explained there had been reports of anti-social behaviour in the park.

He said: ‘A group of 10 to 20 youths had been setting a fire on top of a bench and had damaged a small children’s bicycle; possibly linked to incidents in Coryton Cove.’

PC Miller found the group and gave a warning under Section 50 of the Police Reform Act 2002 to give their names and addresses.

PC Miller added: 'An arrest was made in relation to the arson to ascertain one youth’s identity.

'Rubbish was cleared, and the Fire Service attended to ensure there was no ongoing fire risk.

‘The arson will be formally progressed in partnership with Dawlish Town Council.’

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police added: ‘One girl was arrested before being dearrested.

'Enquiries into the matter are ongoing.’

Town councillor Linda Petherick, who was instrumental in the creation of the park, said: ‘I am absolutely heartbroken that this has happened so much hard work went into creating this fantastic park for the children of Dawlish, and its youngsters that has abused it setting fire to the table.

‘Why did they do this, it’s so sad I hope the police take action.’

The play park opened in 2023.

Former town councillor Byron Woods said: ‘I personally worked hard with others to get this £340,000 park, that bench costs approx £1,000.’

Vanessa Ryley, a leader of environmental group Dawlish Against Plastic, commented that young people have become ‘so bold with their anti-social behaviour that they would do this in daylight and in full view and that there were so many of them there.

‘What a big impact the frankly disturbed behaviour of a small minority has on everyone else.’

Police are appealing for witnesses to contact them on 101 or via the website at https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/reportcrime, quoting reference 50250075653.