Over recent months a number of attempted break-ins to buildings at the site have occurred. More recently, thieves have targeted donation tins by smashing open their doors and using power tools to gain entry inside.
Due to similar incidents last year, the doors to the four donation tins located around the facility had to be replaced. These new doors feature a deadlock and key opening in a bid to stop people gaining access to the contents inside.
Since these new doors were installed last month, there have been two separate incidents of further vandalism on 23 April and 4 May. The same donation tin was targeted on both occasions with the door damaged and a hole cut into the metal to gain entry inside.
Thankfully only small amounts of cash were taken as the containers are emptied daily.
Manager Active Living David Booth said the continued targeting of KidsTown property was extremely disappointing due to the cost it represents to the community to repair the damage.
“KidsTown is a community space where children and families can enjoy time playing outside and socialising with others,” he said.
“Council takes great pride in presenting these facilities for our community.
“It is extremely disheartening to see property at the site continually vandalised, especially the donation tins. Money collected from these donation tins is used to help maintain the facility.”
Mr Booth said Council is working closely with Shepparton Police to help identify the people responsible.
“We are asking the community to help the police locate the person or people responsible for this continued and targeted vandalism, including keeping an eye on the site as they travel along the Causeway at night” he said.
“Anyone who may have seen or heard anything about these ongoing incidents is urged to contact the Shepparton Police Station. Council work extremely hard to maintain KidsTown and we want to ensure the facilities are looked after so that they can be enjoyed by our community and visitors.”
Anyone with information about the incidents at KidsTown is urged to contact the Mooroopna Police Station on (03) 5825 4131.
