Arson attack sparks fury

THE shell of the community room at Stoneleigh park.

HEARTLESS yobs who set fire to a portable cabin in Stoneleigh Park could mean the area’s only community base is gone for good.

The building, used by the Friends of Stoneleigh Park group, police, the youth service and Adult Social Services for vulnerable people, was gutted as flames ripped through it at 2am yesterday.

The arson attack left only a burnt out metal shell

Councillor Jackie Stanton, deputy leader of Oldham Council and a local ward councillor, said: “We will have to think twice about relocating anything in the park because funds are tight.

“We used to say whenever anything was damaged we would replace it, but we don’t have the luxury any more to take chances.

“I am furious. There is no place at all in Derker for scum who do something like this.

“The meeting place was what held the community together in Derker in our fabulous Green Flag park.

“Now there is nowhere for people to go.

“These scumbags have deprived needy people in day care, and deprived a community trying to work for local people.”

The alarm was raised by a resident, and early morning dog walkers called out Angela Cosgrove, secretary of the Friends of Stoneleigh Park.

She said: “It’s a burnt out metal shell.

“We used it for drinks and refreshments at our Hallowe’en Fright Night last weekend and we had a fabulous time.

“The social services’ people use it for recycling cards which local people buy for Christmas and birthdays, and we’ve been using it together for about 18 months.

“It was one of the only community resources in Derker because of the Housing Market Renewal work. When I saw it I was annoyed, upset, angry, and I can’t believe someone could target a building for vulnerable adults and community use.”

The building, also used for PCSOs to hold surgeries and meet people, was cordoned off by the council’s First Response security staff.

Local Labour activist Nigel Newton is offering a £250 reward for anyone with information which leads to a prosecution.

He said: “It was just a tremendous facility. Mindless idiots have ruined the hard efforts of people who put in a tremendous amount of work.”