PARENTS are furious after vandals covered a children’s play area in anti-semitic and racist graffiti.

Families have spoken of their disgust at finding Mace Park in Dovercourt covered in coloured spray paint earlier this week.

The park, which is on Deepdale Road, had its swing, slides and climbing frames sprayed in black and red graffiti with offensive language.

Carol Bryant, of Abdy Avenue, said she often takes her grandson Harley to the park.

The mother-of-six said: “It’s disgusting. He’s four years old and loves playing in that park.

“It’s not just about the graffiti, it’s about some of the racist things that are in there.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

“What if my grandson was to ask me what it means - I wouldn’t know what to say to him.

“It’s selfish of these ignorant people to deface a child’s play area.”

Dave McLeod, Harwich Town councillor for the area, hit out at the vandalism.

He said: “I am totally disgusted quite honestly. The park is somewhere for children to enjoy and people have spoilt it.

“What is the deterrent? Do we really need CCTV on our play areas?

“Tendring Council has people who can clean it off but it’s all cost, cost, cost and the youths don’t realise their parents will pay for it with their taxes.”

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

Aaron Whiting, of Abbott Road, said he found out the park had been wrecked on Tuesday evening when he took his children there.

He said: “On opening the gate, you could see rubbish scattered around the floor and then all the graffiti.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

“I was upset that it had happened and angry at the idiots that did it, but mainly disappointed.”

Nigel Brown, Tendring Council’s communications manager, said that the council is aware of the situation at Mace Park.

“An officer has been over to inspect the site and it is our aim to have the equipment steam cleaned tomorrow to remove all the graffiti,” he added.