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Charity benches vandalised by 'out-of-control teens'

Charlie Stubbsin Telford
Meeting Point Trust There is a town square with green artificial grass and a tree sticking out. You can also see a circular table and chairs that have been flipped over and are upside down.Meeting Point Trust
Teenagers were seen flipping benches outside of Meeting Point House in Telford

"Out-of-control" teenagers have been throwing a charity's picnic benches around, its chief executive has claimed.

Meeting Point Trust Limited in Telford said its cafe furniture had been moved around Southwater Square multiple times during the last couple of weeks.

Wayne Jenson, its chief executive, said "it's basically vandalism".

Sgt Matt Corfield, from West Mercia Police, said "officers are currently investigating the matter and reviewing CCTV".

The charity put the benches on the artificial grass in the square to give members of the public a place to eat.

Each bench cost £500 and Jenson said there used to be three but one was removed earlier in the year.

He said the recent trouble was happening in the early evening and he believed a group of children aged 14 to 17 were to blame.

"They are just picking up the tables, throwing them and actually moving them to different locations," he said.

Charlie Stubbs There is a man with short brow hair and a dark blue coat. He is stood in front of a cafe which has black frames and glass, an orange panel and a defibrillator. Charlie Stubbs
Wayne Jenson said he wanted authorities to take action

He said the charity was working with Southwater Security and he was not "looking for punishment" but instead wanted the authorities to "take the appropriate action".

"I also want to stress that whilst you know they are kids, it's not all kids - these are just children that are just out of control," he added.

Charlie Stubbs / BBC There is where the seat of a weathered brown and grey bench would be. There is no seat but instead there is four rusty nails that are pointing up. The bench is on small stones. Charlie Stubbs / BBC
Damage to the benches includes exposed nails

Sgt Corfield, from Telford Central's Safer Neighbourhood Team, said the force was aware of anti-social behaviour in which a number of benches were damaged outside Meeting Point House on 22 October.

"We understand the impact that anti-social behaviour can have on the wider community and we want residents to know that reports of this behaviour are taken seriously," he added.

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