Razor blades were glued to a slide in a children’s playground in rural Co Down just yards from a primary school, it has emerged.

Broken glass, used condoms, drugs paraphernalia and alcohol bottles were also discovered at the playground in Kinallen, Co Down, and damage was also done to changing rooms in nearby playing fields.

Local residents’ group, the Kinallen Community Association, has claimed that incidents of anti-social behaviour have been on the rise in recent years and claims there is sexual activity going on at the park at night.

A spokesman told the Belfast Telegraph that they have been in talks with local people, the council, police and statutory agencies to discuss how to resolve the situation.

He said the razor blades on the slide were found by a parents in the park with their child. They were stuck to the slide with a gum-like substance which the man removed and placed in the bin.

“This is a very vibrant village, just having one problem which can be solved if all the agencies and groups would work together,” he said.

“The school runs until 5pm, after that it becomes the responsibility of the council.

“Simply installing a gate to make the area pedestrianised and some CCTV coverage could help to solve the problems we are having.

“More of a police presence would also help.”

Lagan Valley DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson said that he is now planning to host a meeting of statutory agencies with a view to combating those people “whose only intention is to vandalise, destroy and put at risk the safety of young children”. He added: “I am very concerned about what is happening in Kinallen, and in particular the vandalism and destruction at the play area and the pitch close to Fair Hill Primary School.”

“In a small community like Kinallen, this kind of behaviour, some of it by people who don’t live in the community, is causing understandable concern, especially among parents.”

It is the second known incident of the intentional sabotage of a playground, following a similar attack on a facility in Kilkeel where nails were screwed through a plastic slide.

TUV councillor in the area, Henry Reilly, slammed those responsible.

“Anyone who would deliberately try to injure a child is a sick and evil person who needs locked away for life,” he said.

Belfast Telegraph