YOBS vandalised a play area causing £1,000 of damage – a week after a similar incident at another Ipswich park.

Youngsters flocking to Christchurch Park yesterday were left disappointed to find a section of the play facility was cordoned off after being damaged overnight.

Suffolk police are investigating the incident and are looking into reports of a group of youths in the park on Monday evening.

People living nearby reported hearing loud banging and subsequently the Galleon, at the centre of the play area, was found to have been vandalised.

It comes a week after yobs struck in Castle Hill recreation ground causing £1,000 of damage to two plastic slides.

A spokesman for Ipswich Borough Council said a perspex window on the model ship was smashed, a metal handrail has been stolen and wooden panels making up the ship have been broken.

The borough council’s parks team have estimated the repairs will cost in the region of £1,000.

A spokeswoman for the police force said a member of the public alerted officers.

She said: “We received reports that between midnight and 12.20am the play area was damaged.

“A member of the public called saying they heard loud noises and as a result officers were sent to the park.

“Three young people – two males and a female – were seen in the area but had left by the time police arrived.”

A borough council spokesman said: “This is an open play area for residents and visitors to the town and its a shame this sort of attack has happened in one of our Green Flag parks.

This type of vandalism prevents local children from enjoying themselves in the park, fortunately in this instance it has been possible to repair the damaged equipment very quickly and make it available once again for children to use.”

Anyone with information about the incident should call the Ipswich Central Safer Neighbourhood Team on 101.