A Wharfedale councillor is demanding immediate action after yobs smashed beer bottles in a children’s playground.

Coun Matt Palmer is appealing for information and urging parents to exercise caution in the park and area around Grange Park in Burley-in-Wharfedale, after it was left littered with shards of glass and rubbish last Sunday.

The district and parish councillor said there was no question bottles had been smashed intentionally and that he was now working with Bradford Council and the police to ensure the matter was resolved.

He warned: “A roundabout has been filled with glass shavings that are impossible to remove, and the popular fire engine has been covered in glass fragments on the seat, and on the ground all around it. The rest of the playpark is awash with litter from takeaways and empty bottles of beer and alcopops.

“This is absolutely disgusting behaviour that puts children’s lives at risk as well as making the play facilities unusable.”

Despite clearing a sackful of rubbish from the play area, Coun Palmer said the only option may be to replace surface chippings at considerable cost.

“In addition to the serious risk to local children, broken glass can get lodged in the feet of dogs, causing great pain and possibly requiring an operation to remove it,” he continued. “Who would want to harm children and animals?

“This is not acceptable behaviour anywhere, but certainly not in Burley-in-Wharfedale. We have higher expectations than this sort of stupidity.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Coun Palmer on 01943 262007 or the police on 01274 475301.