THE BIGGEST STORIES ACROSS BRISTOL IN YOUR INBOX SIGN UP Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A group of skateboarders have been caught on camera ripping apart a bench near a Bristol war memorial in order to use it as a ramp.

The area around the Cenotaph in Colston Avenue has become a popular skate spot since it reopened in November 2017 as a result of its flat surfaces, ledges and drops.

On most days skateboarders can be spotted attempting to grind, ollie and kickflip across the pedestrianised space around the city centre war memorial.

(Image: bnm)

Watch the full version of the video below

They are known to split opinion with Bristolians. There are those who find the skateboarders annoying or even ‘disrespectful’ to be using the Cenotaph as a skate park.

While others take no notice of the youngsters, arguing that it’s a public space and they “are not doing any harm”.

But this week a video has emerged of a group of skateboarders ripping apart one of the benches near the Cenotaph.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

Several benches were installed in the space around the war memorial as part of a major renovation back in 2017 along with a number of flower beds with concrete edges and large steps for people to sit on.

In the video the group can be seen first sitting on the bench to try and loosen the metal poles which had attached it to the ground.

One can then be seen kicking the bench while his friends hold it steady - again in an attempt to remove the legs.

(Image: BristolLive)

Although the video does not show it, the bench has been pulled on from the row of seats on the A38 side of the Cenotaph opposite to where the group are sat.

The broken bench has now been removed from the area and there is an empty slot in the row of benches. It is unclear how much it will cost the council to replace it.

The incident has also been reported to the police.

(Image: BristolLive)

This is not the first time the council has locked horns with those who use the Cenotaph as a skate park.

Last year the local authority spent more than £20,000 on measures to stop skateboarding in the area by installing metal ‘skate stops’ on the edges of the flowerbeds while metal bars were embedded in the ground around the Cenotaph itself.

A Bristol City Council spokesperson said: “We are very disappointed by this criminal damage, which has also seen street trees ripped out and illegal graffiti tagging on important structures.

"We have already taken measures to combat anti-social behaviour in the area and we are looking at what else we can do to try and protect this important public space.



“The police are aware of the incident. We have made the area safe and will repair and replace the bench as soon as possible.”