We won’t let a mindless minority spoil our lovely country park

Published Thursday, 22nd April 2021

Hartlepool Borough Council and Cleveland Police today warned they will take tough action against anyone who tries to spoil one of the town’s most popular visitor attractions.

Tens of thousands of people flock to Summerhill Country Park each year and enjoy some quiet relaxation or a family day out in the lovely surroundings.

However, over recent months a small minority have been engaging in anti-social behaviour and vandalism, including starting fires, damaging the children’s play area, drinking, riding quad bikes and even using air guns to kill some of the wild birds.

The Council is working closely with the Police, Fire Brigade and other agencies to clamp down on the problem, including significantly increasing the Police presence on the site and greater use of security surveillance technology.

The Council and Police are also asking people to report any information they may have about anti-social behaviour at the site and – as some of the problems are being caused by young people - are appealing to families to make sure that they know where their children are, and what they are doing, at all times.

Ian Gardiner, the Council’s Head of Leisure, Recreation and Participation, said: “Summerhill is, and will continue to be, an important and much-loved open space for people of all ages to enjoy safely.

“Anti-social behaviour of any sort – whether by young people or adults – will not be tolerated.

“We will not permit the behaviour of a small, mindless minority to affect the enjoyment of the many thousands of people who visit the park each year.

“Summerhill is for everyone and we all have a responsibility to look after it, so if anyone has any information about anti-social behaviour on the site, I would ask them to please report it.”

Hartlepool Neighbourhood Policing Team’s Temporary Chief Inspector Mark Haworth said: “Officers are regularly patrolling the area following reports of criminal damage and issues with off-road bikes.

“We want to ensure Summerhill Country Park continues to be enjoyed by our communities and this behaviour is not acceptable. If you see behaviour you’re concerned about, or have information which could assist the Police, please call 101.”

Anyone with any information should contact the Police on the non-emergency number 101. In the event of an ongoing emergency please dial 999.

Alternatively people can speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.