A newly revamped play area has been vandalised just months after being completed.

The park, at Harvestfield Recreation Area in Crockenhill, near Swanley, was targeted on Sunday evening (August 11).

The planet markings, which were once bright and clear, have been damaged and are now dull and smudged.

One person who uses the play park said the vandalism is “devastating”, adding: “Why would anyone do something so moronic and spoil it for everyone?”

A spokesperson for Crockenhill Parish Council said: “It is heartbreaking that the new play area has been vandalised.

“The parish council has worked really hard to get funding for new play equipment, and a huge amount of time and money has been spent trying to ensure that we are improving free play facilities for our village children.

“This is completely mindless and deliberate damage. The enjoyment of many has once again been ruined by a few.”

The parish council will be updating its park signage and considering measures to put in place to ensure no similar incidents happen again.

It added: “In the meantime, we have no alternative but to ask parents to supervise all children in the village playgrounds.

“There have also been issues at the allotments, with sheds being broken into, as well as reports of anti-social behaviour on the Village Green.

“Unfortunately this has all taken place during the school summer holidays.

“We are in regular contact with Kent Police and have asked our local PC to increase patrols in the area.”

Works on the park officially finished at the start of June, and the planet markings were part of the final phase of the playground enhancements.

New equipment, including the climbing frame on the village green, was installed at the start of the year.

A police spokesperson said: “Kent Police were notified on Tuesday, August 13, of suspected criminal damage to the recreation ground at the Crockenhill Village Hall, near Swanley.

“The local beat officer has been liaising with the landowner and additional patrols will monitor the area.”