A CHILDREN’S play area in Thornbury has had to be shut off to the public again because of vandalism.

The popular children’s paddling pool at the Mundy Playing Fields had to be closed for two days this week while glass, which had been deliberately smashed in it, was removed.

The glass was found in the paddling pool on Bank Holiday Monday.

Police Community Support Officer Tony Blackmore, of Thornbury Police Station, said: "It would appear that overnight on Sunday glass was deliberately smashed into the pool area.

"Strangely there was no other glass anywhere else in the play area, just inside the pool, making this a very thoughtless and dangerous act.

"As a consequence the pool had to be drained and cleared out before it could be used again.

"We would remind people of the dangers of leaving smashed glass lying around anywhere but particularly in areas near to where children play."

Last summer police were inundated with reports of anti-social behaviour at the Mundy Playing Fields, which is maintained by Thornbury Town Council.

People living in The Close, a residential street near the fields, complained that at night the area became the scene of drunken youths, litter, late night noise, urinating and defecating and criminal damage.

A resident of The Close, who did not want to be named, said: "The problems in the Mundy Playing Field aren’t getting any easier, in fact they are getting worse.

"This is so sad because all weekend families were enjoying the park, playing football and having picnics, and then on Monday morning the broken glass is found where children play.

"This sort of thing affects everybody. It is hard to believe that anyone could be so thoughtless."

Police in Thornbury have said they will continue to monitor the situation and work closely with residents, Thornbury Town Council and South Gloucestershire Council to resolve the issues.

The children’s paddling pool was expected to be back in use today, once it had been refilled.