Vandals rip up planters and clock and throw them into fountain

A section of public gardens has been vandalised. Worthing Borough Council said a display at the southern end of Steyne Gardens in Worthing has been damaged. The authority reported that a timber clock created by charity Sight Support Worthing (SSW) has been "ripped up" and thrown into the fountain alongside a number of planters.

SSW has thanked Worthing Borough Council's park rangers for working to restore the damaged items. A spokesman for the council said: "Sight Support Worthing promotes the inclusion and wellbeing of people living with visual impairments, and its volunteers have been kindly helping our parks team make Steyne Gardens a better place to visit for around five years. "As a thank you for its continued work, we will be helping fund replacement plants and soil and work with the charity to reinstate the planters at the southern end of the gardens.



The fountain before it was vandalised (Image: Worthing Borough Council) "We have reported the act of vandalism to Sussex Police. "If you have any information that might lead to those responsible being caught, please contact 101 quoting the reference number: 47250056283." A spokesman for SSW said: "We wanted to shout out a big 'thank you' to the Worthing Borough Council park rangers.

"Sadly, we have to report that vandals have damaged the floral clock and planters in the sunken garden at Steyne Gardens, that so many SSW volunteers spent hours updating and replanting. READ MORE: Cat taped up in bag and left to die in 'sickening act of cruelty' "We understand it happened last week at some point with the planters and beams uplifted and thrown into the water feature. "Thankfully our trusty Worthing rangers have now put the beams back into position, and have been given approval to replace the flower tubs and other damaged items, "Hopefully the rangers will be able to save some of the plants and bulbs from the troughs.

"The damage has been reported to the police. Hopefully the repairs can be undertaken swiftly and the gardens will be back to their former glory for all to enjoy in time for the warmer and sunnier weather." The damage was discovered on Tuesday, March 25.

Sussex Police has been approached for statement..