Locals have slammed a “senseless” arson attack in a Newcastle park.

Park benches were destroyed and trees and grass left damaged after the blaze on Kenton Denet, which happened shortly before 10pm on Wednesday, October 30.

Kenton ward councillor Stephen Lambert  described the incident as ”needless and senseless”, telling the Local Democracy Reporting Service that he feared that the area could become the target of repeat attacks in the run up to Bonfire Night.(Image: LDR)

Coun Lambert said: ”Local residents who use the Dene are devastated by this senseless and appalling act of vandalism and arson.

“We hope the perpetrators are caught and brought to justice.”

He added: “We just did a litter pick there last Saturday and to see all of this damage taking place now is awful.”

Brian Dickinson, a member of the Friends of Kenton Dene group, was left bitterly disappointed by the attack, which comes amid efforts to increase pride in the community and “ give the area a bit of oomph”.

He said: “Unfortunately, this has been coming for a while. They tend to congregate on those seats in the Dene and you can see from the photos there are glass bottles left there. There is always broken glass there. It is shocking.”(Image: LDR)

On Friday, Newcastle City Council issued a warning ahead of Guy Fawkes Night and urged people not to use the November 5 celebrations as an excuse for fly-tipping or illegally burning waste.

City residents were also urged to bring their wheelie bins back in as soon as possible to avoid vandals setting fires in them.

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Shaun Kelly, prevention manager at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS), said: “Deliberate fires have a devastating impact on our community – they destroy property, harm the environment, and in the worst cases, cost lives.

“Fly-tipping or burning waste illegally isn’t just against the law – it’s incredibly dangerous with the potential to spread, causing serious damage to property and the natural environment.”

TWFRS confirmed that a crew from Gosforth Fire Station was dispatched to Kenton Dene after reports of a bench and rubbish being set on fire on Wednesday night and arrived within five minutes, saying the blaze was extinguished “a short time later”.