Police have issued a strong warning to parents and young people following an "act of mindless vandalism" at the Pavilion Gardens in Buxton. 

Officers say the mains plug sockets on the bandstand were kicked or struck so badly that they shattered and exposed the bare cables. 

It happened sometime overnight on Saturday 25 March.

PC Gareth Podmore, from the High Peak South Youth Engagement Team, said: “We are keen to hear from anyone who has witnessed this incident, which is an act of mindless vandalism that could have had far reaching consequences if someone were badly electrocuted.

“Sadly, this is just another current example of poor behaviour carried out by a small number of young people in Buxton town centre, mainly around the areas of the Pavilion Gardens, Old Hall and Crescent Hotel, and Spring Gardens.

“With the lighter nights now upon us and the holiday season starting, we will be ensuring that our patrols will be stepped up and we will be dealing robustly with any criminal behaviour.

“I would urge parents and carers of young people who frequent Buxton Town centre to get the message out to their children that this behaviour is just WRONG and their actions have consequences.

“That means arrests if the circumstances present, it’s a fact that our custody cells are located in Ripley, Cheadle and Ashton-under-Lyne, and as such a parent of a juvenile arrested will be required to attend the custody suite if their offspring is aged under 18.

“And now The Pavilion Gardens management are going to have to repair the damage at some expense, due to this mindless act.” 

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information can get in touch with police, quoting crime reference 23*196110, by calling 101 or reporting it online at https://www.derbyshire.police.uk

People can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. 

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