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The repair bill for Falls Park in West Belfast is expected to be around £100,000 in just one year a councillor has said.

The park was hit by a double attack over the weekend with both the play park and outdoor gym burnt out in similar attacks.

Sinn Fein Councillor Steven Corr believes that young teenagers are behind the latest attacks - and said that he expects the total repair bill for the Falls Park area to cost as much as £100,000.

The area around the park has been plagued with anti-social behaviour in recent weeks.

Councillor Corr told Belfast Live: “Before the weekend there have been loads of incidents where wheelie bins have been taken in and burned and when they get burned an entire section of tarmac has to be lifted and replaced.

“The swings have been destroyed, there have been fences broken, fires been lit, flowers been pulled out, trees being burnt, walls being destroyed, metal work being destroyed.”

He said that there is frustration in the west of the city.

He added: “People are disgusted and angry in West Belfast.

“There’s a call for CCTV, for naming and shaming - but one of the overriding things from people is that they’re upset: What kind of people would go in and destroy play equipment there for toddlers?

“It’s a shock and then that shock turns to anger.

“It’s making West Belfast very, very angry.”

Councillor Corr said that there will be short term measures to curb the problem from this weekend. There is to be extra lighting, extra security and CCTV. Medium-term he wants to see an updating of security in the area with more permanent lighting.

Long-term, he believes that the Falls masterplan will help to alleviate the problem.

A police spokesman described the weekend’s incidents as a ‘new low’.

He said: “The cost of damage to the playpark alone has been estimated at over £30,000, money which could have been better spent improving other facilities for the community. The damage now means the people who have been benefiting from the outdoor gym and the local children who have been using the playpark have now lost their facilities.

“Since the start of summer this year, we have issued countless appeals, asking parents and guardians to ensure they know where their children are, what they are doing and who they are with.

“Police officers are regularly being called to attend incidents and anti-social behaviour in parks, public spaces and even rail halts to deal with children and teenagers who are at times gathering up in large numbers.

"We recognise that the vast majority of young people are well behaved and are only spending free time with their friends, but as with any large group, there are a few whose behaviour is simply criminal.

“From drinking and playing loud music, upsetting local residents, through to throwing stones at police, passing cars and buses, which at times has led to critical bus services for local people being diverted or stopped altogether. The damage caused within the park at the weekend is a new low.”