Community spaces repeatedly damaged, volunteers say
Local residents in Redcar have raised alarm at a rise in vandalism, graffiti and drug-related activity across several communal areas, saying the pattern of incidents is having a marked effect on volunteers and families who use the spaces.
The East Redcar Residents' Association (ERRA) highlighted problems at Zetland Park, Borough Park, the Pink Path, Green Lane and parts of Redcar Cemetery. Reports include graffiti, litter from gatherings, underage drinking and alleged drug use.
"It just seems now that nothing's sacred anymore - even cemeteries and rose gardens. It's just getting worse and worse as the months and years go by, unfortunately. It's getting worse very quickly now; it's not a case of it sliding slowly."
The ERRA spokesperson said the behaviour was especially damaging to volunteers who invest time and funding to maintain parks and floral displays, calling incidents a "body blow" to community efforts.
What local people are reporting
Residents describe the normalisation of behaviour that previously would have been seen as unacceptable. Concerns include explicit graffiti — described by local members as "too crude to post on social media" — and repeated targeting of public infrastructure such as a pumping station shelter and nearby public toilets with hate-related graffiti.
- Locations affected: Zetland Park, Borough Park, Pink Path, Green Lane, sections of Redcar Cemetery
- Types of incidents: vandalism, graffiti, underage drinking, alleged cannabis use and other drug-related activity
- Consequences: volunteers demoralised; families exposed to offensive graffiti; perception of inadequate long-term enforcement
Police and council engagement
Residents say PCSOs and council representatives have made regular visits but feel the response has not resolved recurring problems. The ERRA noted that while concerns are raised with policing and the crime commissioner, the repeated message is that authorities are limited in what they can do.
For many people who maintain or regularly use the spaces, the issue is both practical and symbolic: public green areas and cemeteries are community assets whose deterioration affects quality of life and neighbourhood pride.
| Location | Reported issues |
|---|---|
| Zetland Park | Underage drinking, vandalism, graffiti |
| Borough Park | Vandalism and littering |
| Pink Path / Green Lane | Drug use and graffiti |
| Redcar Cemetery (sections) | Vandalism affecting graves and rose gardens |
What this means locally
Beyond immediate damage, repeated anti-social incidents can discourage volunteer maintenance and community investment, and create a perception that public spaces are unsafe or uncared for. That in turn can reduce usage by families and older residents and make it harder to sustain improvement projects.
Residents want clearer, long-term action plans from agencies involved, including targeted patrols, swift removal of offensive material and measures to deter repeat offenders. For now, community groups remain committed to upkeep but warn continued damage risks undoing months of work.
Local people with information about specific incidents are encouraged to report them to Cleveland Police and to their neighbourhood policing teams so evidence can be recorded and shared with partner agencies handling anti-social behaviour.
