Mersey Reporter - #Merseybites #News

ON 5 November 2023, footage emerged of a group destroying the Ukrainian Peace Garden within the Baltic Triangle, in Liverpool City Centre, which was opposed as part of the Eurovision celebrations. The idea was to make a nice area for Ukrainians to meet and for residents alike. Sadly, all the wooden structures were set alight on bonfire night (5 November 2023.)

Local Councillor Hetty Wood the following day told the media that people living within Liverpool's Baltic Triangle were shocked by vandals who destroyed the Garden. On the following morning, some lovely residents came out to try to help tidy up ahead of Liverpool City Council's cleaning services.

The unnecessary destruction also meant yet more money having to be wasted with Liverpool City Council’s cleansing crew being required to conduct a clean-up operation, to remove the litter and remains of the damaged garden.

Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, said:- "Vandalism in our public spaces will not be tolerated. I would urge anyone with information regarding the criminal damage of the Ukrainian Peace Garden in the Baltic Triangle to come forward. If you wish to remain anonymous you can contact CrimestoppersUK in confidence."

Many local residents have said that they do not want this vandalism to be hijacked by other parties interested in making political trouble. Liverpool is proud to be helping Ukrainians and is still an inclusive, open-hearted City. Many have repeatedly said this week that this mindless vandalism, by an extremely small minority,

shouldn't speak for the City as a whole. One said:- "We have had our City’s image tarnished by a few morons who do not act for the rest of us. It only takes a few bad apples to destroy the City’s reputation and these people have sadly managed to do it within a few hours... Liverpool isn't really as bad as is being made out within the press, over this incident."

Anyone with information about those who committed this act of mindless vandalism can DM @MerPolCC, on Twitter, or search for: ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook, quoting log:- '793 of 5 November' or call:- 101.

On a positive note, talks are now underway to plot out how to restore it. Also, you can help.

The Baltic Triangle Community Clean Up said:- "We’re making plans to repair the Ukrainian Peace Garden so everyone in the community can enjoy it again. We're starting with a community clean up and repair session on:- Saturday, 10 November 2023, at:- 12 pm. Please sign up if you make it and bring along any tools you have. For more information please see the groups post on:- Eventbrite.Co.UK "