A playground in Stevenage has been closed after it was vandalised, with white paint spread over the floor.

Images shared on social media showed a slide and other playground equipment covered in paint.

Council officers visited the Noke playground near Shephalbury Park Primary School yesterday morning (Wednesday, November 27) to close the site.

White paint spread over the floor and equipment at the Noke playground in StevenageWhite paint spread over the floor and equipment at the Noke playground in Stevenage (Image: Gemma Miller.) Cllr Simon Speller, Stevenage Borough Council’s portfolio holder for environment, said: “We’ve contacted a specialist contractor to clean the site and are waiting to hear back regarding timescales and the cost involved.

“This is an act of mindless vandalism that prevents children from being able to use their local play area.

“It will also cost us time and money to fix, which diverts resources away from other work that could benefit the community.

White paint spread over the floor and equipment at the Noke playground in StevenageWhite paint spread over the floor and equipment at the Noke playground in Stevenage (Image: Gemma Miller.)“We need everyone to take a stand against anti-social behaviour.

“If you become aware of any criminal damage or vandalism, or if you have any information regarding any incidents, please report it to the police on 101.”

Spokespeople for Stevenage Borough Council and for Hertfordshire police said they had not received any reports about the vandalism at the Noke playground until they were contacted by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.