Protecting our parks: The true cost of vandalism at the Town Estate

Melton Mowbray Town Estate is a charity. Every year, we work hard to keep our parks beautiful and run events the whole community can enjoy, from our traditional fireworks and Christmas markets to our brand-new Summer Season in the Events Village.

However, a persistent wave of vandalism is seriously threatening our ability to do this. Last year, our park maintenance costs ran into tens of thousands of pounds, driven primarily by criminal damage.

The impact of anti-social behaviour:

• Destruction of assets: 70 out of 100 Heras fencing panels have been destroyed.
• Arson: Seven Victorian cast iron and wooden benches—costing £1,400 each—have been intentionally burned.

Vandalism also affects other park users,  poppy wreaths from the Remembrance Day service were thrown around the memorial gardens, and youths threw cricket club furniture into the river. The cost of repairs following these incidents, such as hiring tree surgeons or paying staff for extra litter picking, diverts limited resources from other park activities. 

Why is fencing necessary?

We have heard the public complaints criticising the appearance of the Heras fencing around the Events Village. We agree it isn’t pretty, but it is absolutely necessary.

Our CEO, Dean Rees, explains, “The converted bar container units represent a huge investment for our supplier. They are high-value targets for arson and theft. The fencing is a vital deterrent to protect these assets, while also allowing us to safely maintain our licensed capacity of 500 people for public events.”

How can you help?

We operate on a modest budget. Every time a bench is burned or a fence is broken, funds are diverted away from community events and park improvements. If you witness anti-social behaviour or vandalism in our parks, please report it to the police immediately.
Help us protect Melton Mowbray’s green spaces.