VANDALS have struck in Okehampton?s Simmons Park, following recent concern about the area becoming a problem area for underage drinking. The park has been known as the ?jewel in the crown? of Okehampton since it was given to the town by benefactor Sydney Simmons almost 100 years ago. But its tranquil setting was shattered overnight on Friday when one of the shelters was badly damaged, with its timber support being torn down. A large amount of litter, including drinks cans and bottles, was also scattered around the area. Chair of Okehampton Town Council?s parks committee Cllr Christine Marsh said: ?It is very demoralising when you spend all this time and money trying to make it a lovely place for people to enjoy, and this happens. ?It must be heartbreaking for the park-keeper who works so hard to keep the park looking tidy and nice.? There have also been a number of recent incidents where alcohol has been confiscated by police from young people in the park. A radio-transmitted CCTV system for the town centre is currently in the proposal stages but it is not thought such a system in the park would significantly reduce the problem. Sgt Richard Nettleship from Okehampton Police Station said the force was aware of the problems in the park and the police community support officer ?confiscated large quantities of alcohol? almost every weekend. He said CCTV systems tended to be concentrated in town centre areas and he was uncertain such a system would work well at night in a large parkland setting. When the town CCTV proposal was being drawn up, a survey of the park was carried out because there was concern about anti-social behaviour there. However, the security firm ADT, which developed the proposals, found there were too many blockages to any radio signal from the park to the centre of town. Other possible options might include extending the existing CCTV systems at the Parklands Leisure Centre or Okehampton College to give some view of the front of the park.
