The latest damage, which targeted the children’s play area on Western Road, has caused significant concern. Vandals deliberately cut into and destroyed sections of the wet-pour safety surface, leaving the site badly damaged and temporarily unsafe for use. The council has described the incident as especially troubling given the playground’s importance to local families and children.
This attack follows a wider pattern of graffiti and damage to community noticeboards and other council-maintained facilities, with officials warning that the situation appears to be escalating.
Residents are being urged to report any incidents immediately to Sussex Police by calling 101, as well as notifying the Town Council directly.
Corporate Services Manager, Karen Giddings strongly condemned the damage, saying: “This is completely unacceptable anti-social behaviour. These are facilities used every day by our community, and a great deal of time and public money goes into maintaining them. To see them deliberately damaged in this way is extremely frustrating and disappointing.”
She added that while the motive behind the vandalism remains unclear, the impact is undeniable: “It simply spoils the enjoyment of these much-needed spaces for everyone.”
The Town Council maintains a wide range of public spaces and facilities, including playgrounds, parks, allotments, public buildings, and recreational areas across Hailsham. While repairs are carried out as quickly as possible, officials say preventing further incidents depends on swift reporting and community vigilance.
Town-Council maintained land and property includes the following:
- Children’s play areas (Western Road; Battle Road; Stroma Gardens; Quinnell Drive; Maurice Thornton Playing Field)
- Outdoor gyms/exercise equipment (Western Road; Maurice Thornton Playing Field
- Skate park (Maurice Thornton Playing Field)
- Parks and open spaces (Hailsham Country Park; Common Pond; Western Road Recreation Ground; Maurice Thornton Playing Field)
- Allotment sites (Battle Road; Station Road; Harold Avenue)
- Hailsham Cemetery (Ersham Road)
- Buildings (Town Council offices – Market Street; Station Youth Centre – Western Road; James West Community Centre – Brunel Drive)
A full list of land and properties maintained by the Town Council is available at hailsham-tc.gov.uk.
To support this effort, the Town Council introduced an online reporting form on its website, allowing residents to provide details of vandalism, graffiti and other damage to council-maintained property. This will help the Council to respond more effectively and work with the police to tackle the problem.
QR code stickers linking directly to the reporting form have been placed on Town Council property, making it easier for residents to report damage quickly while out in the community.
