VANDALS have caused thousands of pounds of damage to one of east Hull's most-loved attractions.
A group of youths have entered the park in Holderness Road and repeatedly attacked the splash boat water ride, which will cost more than £4,000 to put right.
Police said the splash boat, which was first opened in 1929, has been the target of repeated vandalism in recent months.
Last week, youths cut the rope that pulls the boat up from the lake and vandalised two public bins, which caused almost £1,500 of damage.
Sergeant Russ Whittle, of the Park neighbourhood policing team, said: "This is mindless vandalism by a small number of offenders, which has the potential to affect a lot of people who use East Park.
"I don't think they realise how much damage they are causing.
"The splash boat is an iconic part of East Park and, during the summer, people travel from all over the country to use it as they reminisce about childhood memories of using it."
Humberside Police are now appealing for information to help catch the vandals.
"The neighbourhood policing team want to identify, locate and bring to justice the perpetrators, but we need the public's help with details of who may be responsible," said Sgt Whittle.
"We think we know who they are, but we need the public to come forward so we can identify them."
Neil Ware, Hull City Council parks manager, said the vandals must be stopped before more damage is done.
"This is becoming a very serious problem," he said.
"The splash boat has always been a target for vandalism, but I haven't seen this level of damage before.
"We don't have a bottomless pot of money to fix this attraction and I think there is a danger that, one day, the money to maintain the splash boat and keep it open will run out."
Mr Ware said repeated acts of vandalism are affecting other areas of East Park.
"We are spending so much money on fixing the splash boat that it will mean there won't be enough left to do everything else we want to do," he said.
"Potholes won't be filled in, bins won't be replaced and play equipment will not be repaired."
Sgt Whittle believes the vandalism is connected to damage caused by young people climbing on the roof of the nearby Woodford Leisure Centre.
He said police want to put a stop to the problems with antisocial behaviour along Holderness Road.
"We're going to take action," said Sgt Whittle.
"It's important these kids know that they will be identified, they will be caught and they will be prosecuted."
Anyone with information should call Humberside Police on 101.
10
