MEMORIAL benches by the Ffrith beach in Prestatyn have been subjected to “disgusting” acts of vandalism.
The benches, on which people can have their own plaque created by contacting the Friends of the Ffrith Common Land Park group, have been vandalised with a series of names and drawings.
An eyewitness, who asked not to be named, said they had reported the incident to North Wales Police, as had Friends of the Ffrith.
The eyewitness said: “As a local resident, I feel this is disgusting, and everyone who was there when I was thought the same.
“These benches are memorials for loved ones - would they graffiti on a gravestone?
“(It shows a) lack of respect, and you gain respect from your parents - the parents haven’t done a very good job.
“These youths need naming and shaming. It’s a police matter. Let’s hope whoever did this gets found and makes it better.”
This incident comes just two months a fire at the Ffrith beach, which police believed to have been started deliberately.
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Paul Penlington, a Prestatyn town councillor and former county councillor for Prestatyn North (the ward in which the beach is situated), also expressed his disgust at this act of “petty vandalism”.
He said: "There have been numerous anti-social incidents around the Ffrith in recent months, including very dangerous fire setting; sadly, the majority seem to be from youngsters.
“This petty vandalism is particularly sickening, as these benches have only just been installed.
“Fortunately, the perpetrators seem to have been daft enough to sign their own names.
“This just the latest incident in an area volunteers put a lot of time and money into so I hope the police pursue this and the culprits are appropriately dealt with."
Ian Lifford, chairperson of Friends of the Ffrith, also expressed his and the group's anger at the incidents, adding that plans are in place to repair the damage caused.
He said: "We were disgusted and disappointed to discover last weekend that some people taken it upon themselves to graffiti a number of the benches with black marker pen.
"Following photographs of the damage being posted on social media, there have been 111 comments from local residents expressing outrage and condemnation of such action.
"The benches were refurbished during August 2021 by the Friends of the Ffrith, a community volunteer group, and assisted by Prestatyn Mens’ Shed. Funding support was provided by Prestatyn Town Council.
"All of the work was carried out by volunteers as part of the ongoing work to the area to improve the amenity value and biodiversity of the area.
"Work is now in hand to repair the damage and we would ask passers-by to keep an eye out and to report any other anti-social incidences."
A North Wales Police spokesperson said: "I can confirm that we have received a report of criminal damage to a memorial bench at Ffrith Beach.
"Officers have attended to examine the bench, and our enquiries are ongoing.
"Anyone with information that could help our investigation is encouraged to contact us via our live webchat facility online, or on 101, quoting reference B088252."
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