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Manor Park knife alert

Sue Carr
14/ 9/2005

VISITORS to Manor Park are being urged to be on their guard after a knife was found hidden in the bushes.

The weapon, thought to be a craft knife, was discovered during a litter pick by Friends of Manor Park on Saturday morning.

It is believed to belong to one of the many youths who congregate in the park to drink during the evenings.

Joyce Ashley, who found the knife, said: "We have quite regular clean-ups and I've never found anything like that before - it was quite startling.

"On the surface the park looks quite tidy but once you lift the branches and look in the bushes there are all sorts, including lots of broken glass bottles.

"We just think people need to be aware that some of the children could be carrying things like this."

The offensive weapon was found stashed in bushes near the bowling green in a makeshift 'den.' Volunteers also collected bags full of smashed glass from bottles of alcohol and the door of the toilets had been vandalised.

Police say this is the latest in a long line of incidents of anti-social behaviour and vandalism at the park.

Joyce added: "The police are doing the best they can and so are we to keep the park clean and tidy. We are justwarning people to be extra careful when they visit."

A spokesman for Glossop Police said: "There is a problem with nuisance youths in the park, especially over the school holidays.

"We have been putting our resources into it and other problem areas and will continue to do so."